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Liar Ch. 01

By: sinfully_divine



Her hair flew behind her like ribbons in the wind as she ran towards the church. Sloane was late, really late. Momentarily distracted by the ringing coming from her clutch, she stopped to retrieve her cell phone. She checked the caller id and flipped it open.

"Hey Gigi," she greeted a little out of breath, "now isn't the best time." 

Gigi had been Sloane's college roommate from London. The combination of Sloane's conservative Southern upbringing and Gigi's unapologetic sexual nature proved volatile the first semester of college. However, with both girls being so far away from home, they ended up putting aside their differences and becoming the best of friends.

"Like you're ever on time," Gigi joked, "where are those strappy stilettos with the jewels on them? I was needing them for tonight. I'm already at your flat looking for them. Where are you?"

"They." Sloane responded as she paused to catch her breath, "They are on my feet."

"I see. You're not home, you're wearing those shoes this early in the day, and you're out of breath?" Gigi had that suspicious tone as if she was solving a problem, "You're getting banged by a bloke right now, aren't you? You slag, I must say that I am impressed. I must be rubbing off on you."

Sloane could only laugh in response to her conclusions, "Sorry to disappoint you but unlike my slut friend Georgina Wadsmore-Watts, I wouldn't answer the phone while doing that."

"So very true. You know the only exercise I get is of the sexual variety. No bother, where are you?" Gigi asked.

"Reston." Sloane stated increasing her pace as fast as her sky high stilettos would let her.

"Prison!? Why the hell are you in prison? What'd you do?" 

"Not prison. Reston. RES-TON." Sloane enunciated as she rolled her eyes, "As in my hometown." 

"Bloody hell, I about had a heart attack," Gigi sighed, before realizing what Sloane had said, "Why are you in Reston? You haven't been home in...well...I don't recall you ever going home."

"A wedding." Sloane explained as she reached the entrance into the church, "I figured I should go since it's my older brother and all. I'm already late so I'll call you later okay?"

"Yes, please do." Gigi responded before Sloane snapped her phone shut. 

Sloane made her way through the foyer towards the chapel doors. Peaking into the chapel she realized there wasn't anywhere to sit. She adjusted the gold satin tube dress that managed to slip slightly from her hurried pace into the church. The curve hugging garment ended right below her knees and accentuated her toned and tanned body. She prepared herself to walk back into the life she left behind so willingly all those years ago. She hadn't been back home in 6 years. Thinking back she realized that she had been a different person then, physically and emotionally. She fought for control as she felt a slight anxiety and familiar pain rise up that she wasn't prepared for. Before the feeling could escalate further, she heard a familiar voice behind her that instantaneously calmed her. 

"Sloane? Sloane Bennett? Is that you?"

"Layla!" Sloane exclaimed as she spun around to embrace her friend.

"I can't believe you're actually here! Your pa said he didn't know if you were going to make it for the wedding!" Layla exclaimed, "You look so different, I almost didn't recognize you."

"I look different? You look...pregnant." Sloane laughed as she rubbed Layla's belly. 

"This" Layla sighed pointing to her belly, "is baby number 3 and havoc on my bladder. I'm using the ladies room every other minute. I'm just hoping this one's a girl for Jackson."

"Speaking of Jackson, where is he?" Sloane asked as she looked behind Layla towards the bridal party that was preparing themselves to walk down the aisle.

"Oh, he's back there...somewhere," Layla said waving her hand behind her, trying to block Sloane's view. 

Sloane cocked her head to side, raising her eyebrow at her friend. 

"Don't look at me like that. You'll have plenty of time to catch up at the reception. We should head in before we miss the whole ceremony. Luckily for you the ceremony hasn't started yet." 

Before Sloane could protest, Layla already had a hold on her hand and was leading her down the aisle. 

Sloane couldn't help but feel curious stares as they walked to their seats. Surely I don't look that different, she thought as she politely smiled. She scanned faces seeing people she recognized, looking for the one she told herself she didn't come back for. The one that tormented and haunted her the last 6 years.

The one face to belonged to the man who broke her heart.

****

Leaning his large muscular frame against the wall outside the ladies restroom, Gabriel Jennings waited impatiently for the wedding to start. Not that he could complain since his impatience was currently being sated by the golden goddess that walked, rather ran, into the church. In her hurry, he didn't have the chance to see her face, but he didn't mind. As she looked into the chapel from the entrance, he looked on from behind in appreciation.

Her raven locks fell in thick waves to the middle of her back, drawing his attention to her slim waist and shapely ass contained in the gold dress she wore. His blue eyes traveled further down her toned calves. He was barely able to suppress a groan as he gaze met the lethal heels she wore. Those were the kind of shoes that a woman wears when she's wearing nothing else. Almost forgetting where he was, he fought for composure. 

What am I thinking? I'm in a church and I'm going to walk down the aisle with a hard on! Gabe thought, mentally berating himself. When he was finally able to compose himself, he found himself staring back at the curious faces of his best friends - Jackson, Dean, and Jude. 

"What's the matter, Gabe? Did you see something interesting?" Dean, the groom, said grinning. 

Before he could word a response, the restroom door swung open by a very pregnant lady. 

"Layla." Gabe greeted with a forced smile. 

"You all look so handsome." Layla stated ignoring him and only glancing at the other three. 

"Hey babe." Jackson said as he bent to kiss her on the lips, "I think we're about to start, you should go get seated."

"I'm headed there right now." Layla responded as she lovingly gazed at her husband. Jackson rubbed her belly before she turned to leave, but not before she shot Gabe an icy glare.

Gabe was amazed that such a small woman could hold a grudge after all this time. It had been 6 years, but Gabe couldn't blame her. Layla had been her best friend before she left. Her. He felt a small ache in his heart as he dared to think about her.

"...Sloane Bennett? Is that you?" 

It was as if someone was reading his thoughts, Gabe snapped his head up in time to see the golden goddess he was just lusting over spin around. His whole body tensed as he felt the wind leave his lungs. Those green eyes that haunted his dreams the last 6 years sparkled like emeralds as she embraced Layla. 

He felt himself advance towards her as if he had no control over his actions. He thought he saw her look back towards him before Layla grabbed her hand and pulled her into the chapel, away from him. He saw Layla turn around once again to meet his gaze, this time without hate. The look on Layla's face was one pleading for him to stay away.

"She's back?" he heard Jude say as he came to stand beside him, "What are you going to do?"

"The same thing she did." Gabe said turning away. "Nothing." 

Liar Ch. 02



As soon as Sloane and Layla reached their seats, they couldn't contain themselves. They quietly whispered back and forth trying catching up. If it hadn't been for the guests rising for the bride's grand entrance, they would've undoubtedly continued throughout the entire ceremony. 

As Sloane stood to watch her future sister descend the aisle, she couldn't hide the smile that crept across her lips as she thought back to when she first met her... 

6 ½ years ago...

Sloane's eyes opened to a sideways view into her kitchen. Noticing the scattered papers and opened textbooks she groaned realizing she fell asleep while studying with Nick, star forward on the basketball team. Though he was a star on the court the same couldn't be said for the classroom. He had to pass the final on Monday with at least a C- or his scholarship would be useless. The two had gotten close during their studying sessions. She was surprised to find out that he was gay, he was so gorgeous that it seemed like such a waste for the female population. He also confided that the scholarship was so important because it was the only way he and his boyfriend could be attend the same college together next year. The last thing she remembered was trying to keep her eyes open while they were going over algorithms.

The loud knock on the door startled her upright causing her to rip her cheek off of the page it was previously stuck too. She checked her watch and groaned - "2:13 am" Rubbing her cheek, she put on her glasses and headed in direction of the front door. 

Who is knocking this early? She thought before the knock sounded again, more urgently this time.

"Hold on...I'm coming!" she heard herself yell before she slapped her hand over her mouth. With her three brothers in college and her parents out of town, she was alone in the house. 

What if it's a psycho killer? She thought as she frantically looked around for something to defend herself with. Spotting her brother's old baseball bat, she grabbed it and slowly reached for the doorknob. 

"Sloane, will you hurry up? If I was a murderer, do you really think I'd knock first?" The male voice yelled from the other side of the door. 

She groaned inwardly when she recognized the voice. Gabriel Jennings, her older brother Dean's cocky best friend. Gabe had moved in next door when she was 6 years old and had been a pain in her ass ever since. Her brothers embraced him like a long lost brother and Gabe eagerly joined them in torturing her childhood. They made fun of her, didn't let her play with them, and excluded her from their "Boys Only Club". 

She would've welcomed the isolation once she reached high school. Gabe and Dean were seniors her freshman year and would threaten any guy who would do as much as even look her way. Sloane never understood the double standard, because Gabe and Dean were notorious for their womanizing ways.

"Don't pretend to know what I was thinking." Sloane hissed as she swung the door open. 

"I think I know you better than you think. Judging by the bat I was right." Gabe responded as he flashed that smile that so many girls claimed to be their undoing. 

To avoid his smile, Sloane made the mistake of looking up and down his 6'4" frame. His dark hair looked disheveled as though he had been raking his hand through it. His dark washed jeans hung low on his hips and outlined his muscular quads. His well-toned biceps were accentuated by the tight white t-shirt he wore. When her mouth dried and tongue swelled, she blamed her tiredness. 

"Whatever." Sloane managed to respond rolling her eyes, "You're lucky I was home, for all you know I could've been out on a date." 

"Ha! Like you'd be doing anything but studying with finals being around the corner." Gabe scoffed as he checked his watch, "Plus I don't take you as the type of girl that stays out this late." 

"You sure about that?" Sloane was responded staring him straight in the eye trying her best to look seductive. "It's been a long time Gabriel...you couldn't imagine the type of girl I am." She finished her voice a little lower than she intended causing the response to come out sultry. 

She couldn't believe that she was trying to flirt with Gabe and she couldn't figure out why she said that. Of course it wasn't true, but she was irritated by his accuracy and wanted to put him in his place. 

His eyes darkened as he opened and closed his mouth trying to form an appropriate response, but no sound came out. "Who the hell is that?" Gabe said suddenly. Not quite the response Sloane was going for, but realized he was moving inside the door to push her behind him. 

Sloane whipped around in time to see Nick come out of the bathroom. She saw the color leave Nick's face when he saw Gabe and now he was just standing there like a deer caught in headlights. 

"Jesus, Gabriel. It's just Nick." Sloane explained pushing Gabe to stand between them. 

"What the hell is he doing here so late?" Gabe practically yelled at her staring at her accusingly. "What the fuck are you doing here?" He said in a low, deadly tone pinning Nick in place.

"Gabe!" Sloane cried before turning back to Nick, "Ignore him, he's just being his usual asshole self."

"It's okay Sloane. We did lose track of time, I guess I should be leaving." Nick said as she noticed the mischievous look in his eyes "Call me tomorrow, babe." 

Babe?

"Uh, okay..." Sloane answered dumbly watching Nick slow to approach her. He slowed in front of her bent to kiss her on the cheek facing away from Gabe.

"Good luck." He whispered quietly enough so that only she could hear him. Confusion hit her when she took in his grin as pulled back. 

What the hell is going on? Sloane thought as she watched Nick turn and give Gabe cautious nod not breaking eye contact. She saw Gabe's jaw twitch before he nodded back. 

As Nick walked down the stairs she saw a woman she didn't recognize pass him. 

Maybe she's lost. 

"Gabe?" she said. 

Maybe not. 

"Shit. "Sloane, this is Brodie. Brodie, this is Sloane." 

Sloane chose the precise moment that the girl stepped into the porch light to hate her. She was had long dark red hair and piercing hazel eyes that almost seemed to sparkle. She was petite with big boobs - Gabe's type. Sloane looked down and cringed. She had on one of her dad's oversized sweatshirts, plaid pajama pants, and her hair was tied on top of her head in a messy bun. 

"Sloane? Sloane! It's nice to finally meet you." she exclaimed as she rushed by Gabe to hug her. 

"Nice to meet you too." Sloane responded awkwardly, tugging at her sweatshirt self consciously.

"I've been hearing about you for MONTHS!" 

"Sorry to interrupt the girl talk, but your brother is passed out in the car. There was party at The Drop and he got..." Gabe hesitated, glancing at Sloane before finishing, "a little out of control."

"I heard about that, Layla called earlier asking if I wanted to go with her. Did you see her?" 

"Oh...I saw her alright." Gabe said but his eyes gave away that he holding something back. 

"Layla? Isn't that the girl who Jack-" Brodie started before Gabe silenced her raising his hand. 

"What?" Sloane snapped irritated that Gabe's new girlfriend knew something about her best friend that she didn't, "Oh please, I'm 18 I know what happens at parties." 

"I think she'd better tell you herself." Gabe stated quickly changing the subject. "Help me get Dean out of the car and into his old room. We'll crash here tonight and head back to campus tomorrow morning." 

*****

Sloane walked out of Dean's room and left Brodie and Gabe to the task of getting Dean out of his clothes and into bed. There are just some things that a little sister shouldn't have to see. She headed back downstairs to clean the mess she made in the dining room from studying. 

"I'm going to take Brodie home." She heard Gabe yell, "Leave the door unlocked, I won't be long." 

Oh you won't be long? What about your reputation Casanova? Brodie will be so disappointed. Sloane thought as she started slamming books around.

"So do you want to tell me what that boy was doing here?" Gabe said behind her suddenly causing her to jump. 

"I don't see how that's any of your concern." Sloane stated glaring over her shoulder. 

"You're lucky it was me and not Dean. At least I try to ask questions. Dean would've just beaten his ass. You're lucky he was passed out." Gabe said truthfully. 

"You two are unbelievable," Sloane spinning around to face him. "You know, you guys can't bully me or anyone that breathes in my direction. When are you guys going to realize that I'm not a little girl anymore?"

"Oh, believe me...I realize that." Gabe stated too low for Sloane to hear. 

"What'd you say?" Sloane snapped. 

"What is with you tonight? Are you mad that I interrupted you before you could get some from your boyfriend?" Gabe sneered causing whatever hold Sloane had on her temper to evaporate. 

"You are un-fucking-believable Gabriel. We were studying!" Sloane stated pointing at still messy dining table. 

"You're so full of shit! Why did he kiss you?" Gabe questioned. 

"It was on my cheek! You're the asshole that rudely woke me up at 2:30 in the morning all so that you can want to drop my drunk brother off and go fuck YOUR girlfriend." Sloane finished as she poked her finger into Gabe's chest. Her emerald eyes were glittering up at him full of rage. She hated that she had to look up at him, at 5'9" Sloane didn't have to look up to too many people. 

Suddenly aware of the closeness, Sloane raised her palms to his chest in attempt to push him away. Gabe grabbed her wrists pulling them behind her back bringing her right against him and the unmistakable bulge in his pants. Sloane gazed up into his blue eyes and saw that his had green flecks in them that she hadn't noticed before. She gulped as she saw his lips twitch. It was the last thing she remembered before he dropped his lips to claim hers. 

Gabe wasn't sure when teaching Sloane a lesson had turned into him giving into his lust. He had only meant to punish her for being so naive with that...that boy. He wasn't prepared for the frenzy that started where his hand touched her wrist and spread like fire over his body. When she opened her mouth to protest, he took advantage of it slipping in his tongue. He felt her hesitate before dueling back, her own tongue massaging his. He heard his name being called somewhere in the distance. 

"Gabriel." Sloane moaned. He had heard many girls moan his name before, but none provoked the possessiveness he felt hearing it from Sloane's lips. 

Mine, he thought as he pushed his erection further into her. 

"Gabriel...stop." She said again more forcefully. He pulled back to see her eyes dazed with the unmistakable look of lust. He was proud that he could bring her to such a state. He was about to kiss her again when he heard Brodie calling him from upstairs. 

Leaning his forehead against Sloane, he yelled back to her without releasing his grip on Sloane, "Are you ready to go?"

"Yeah. Oh and Dean is up." Brodie yelled her voice a little closer this time, "He's asking for Sloane. Is she still up?" 

Shit! He had forgotten about Dean. Now he didn't have little sisters, but he was pretty sure what he was doing violated every code ever written in the Best Friend Handbook. He looked at Sloane again and felt his cock harden further. 

To hell with handbook, he thought wanted her right there. 

"Gabe? Sloane?" Brodie called again questioningly.

"Yeah, I'm up. I'll be up in a second." Sloane yelled finally finding her voice but not releasing eye contact with Gabe. He watched the lust and fire leave her eyes to be replaced with the worst thing possible - regret and worry. 

"This shouldn't have happened. You shouldn't have kissed me." 

"Don't act so innocent babe, you kissed me back." Gabe responded not hiding the grin that crept across his lips. 

"Don't smile at me like that. It doesn't matter what I did, I'm not the one who's girlfriend is upstairs! Let me go!" Gabe didn't realize that that he still had a hold of her wrists, but didn't let her go either. 

"What? Who? Brodie?!" Gabe stared at Sloane confused.

"No, I was talking about Dean." Sloane responded sarcastically, "Stupid, yes Brodie. Although it wouldn't shock me if you were dating Dean, you two are ALWAYS together." Sloane stared at him questioningly. 

"Do I need to kiss you again to prove my sexuality?" 

"I'm finding gay guys very unpredictable lately, especially tonight." Sloane said. 

"Brodie's dating your brother." Gabe responded as he finally released Sloane's wrists.

He saw her stare up at him in horror, "This was a mistake, it can't happen again." 

She quickly separated herself from him and practically sprinted to the stairs.

"Sloane," Gabe called as she reached the bottom of the stairs. She turned around staring at him cautiously, "I promise you, this isn't over."

She gave him one more pleading look before he heard Dean call for her.

This is far from over, he smiled. 

Gabe stood by Dean at the alter and shuddered at the memory. He had never and has yet to kiss a girl that gave as much as Sloane did. Despite her smart mouth, he knew that's all she was. He liked pushing her to her breaking point. Since the first kiss, he seemed to sense where she was near. He was surprised that the feeling was still there after all this time. He never had to look for her because his eyes were immediate drawn to her. Surprisingly, she hadn't noticed him yet, but it was probably due to her and Layla whispering during the entire first half of the ceremony. 

He wouldn't be able to tell anyone how beautiful Brodie looked coming down the aisle, because his eyes had been on Sloane the entire time. Apart of him wished he could've been there to watch her transform into the woman that he was staring at today. Clearly being out from under her brothers' watchful eye had been good on her. What used to be a timid baggy-clothes wearing tomboy, was now a confident woman wearing 'fuck-me' shoes. She had always been pretty but, damn, she was beautiful now. 

He watched her turn around probably to catch a glimpse of her brother, but her eyes met his instead. He saw her panic as her smiled faltered slightly. If the color hadn't drained from her face he wouldn't have noticed that she was affected as much as he was when he first saw her.

Her eyes turned cold and refused to let him stare her down. He grinned as she finally realized what he was doing. He loved it when she fought back.

He could only smile as he thought back to the promise he made her all those years ago, only now it had a whole different meaning.

This isn't over, Sloane. This is far from over.



Liar Ch. 02



2 - The Proposal

This is a sequel to the story LIAR. While the characters are the same (and a few new ones) this is a bit more erotic than the first one. While reading LIAR first would be helpful to know the characters more intimately, you can probably read this story without having read the first one.

Thanks to my friend "Billie" who adds amazing confusion to my life.

Thanks to "Jessica" and the "Girls" who have made my mid life crisis so much fun.

Thanks to "acurmudgeon" for catching my blatant mistakes!

Thanks to "Austin" for his unintended inspiration.



THE PROPOSAL:

The Stake Out

A light mist fell across the windshield causing the street lights to bokeh and glow in the cab of the black Suburban. Long hours of waiting for a moment's glimpse of a suspect, turn even sane agents into mind numbed robots. Most nights on a stake out the cab of your SUV is filled with the smell of stale coffee with the occasional after taste of carry out leftovers. This night was different. 

Somewhere along the way I had forgotten about the perp I was there to watch. It didn't matter. I was pretty sure the suspect had been spooked and we'd never see him again. I had taken it upon myself to stop by for a few hours with the hope of winning the lottery and catch the son of a bitch that had ponzi schemed his way into infamy by stealing the life savings of widows. He was gone. He smelled us watching him somehow and before we could collect enough evidence to make the arrest, he bolted.

But tonight, I had exchanged the typical monotony of a normal stake out for something much more pleasant. I leaned back in the black leather driver's seat and momentarily closed my eyes. I tried to wipe my mind of the fact that we had been made; let it go. With a long slow exhale the windshield briefly fogged over from the warmth of my breath. Abandoning the whole concept of a stakeout I slid my hand down along the side of the seat and pushed the electric mechanism, moving the back of my seat lower into a reclining position. It was relaxing to lean back and drift off into pleasure for a few moments.

Utter honesty. Since I discovered that Billie was now married, my sex life had come to a screeching halt. She hadn't even had the courage to come out and tell me herself. The news had hit me like a cold slap in the face and she stood there right in front of me while I took it; then left me crumpled like a wet dishrag.

I shifted my hips in the seat, resting more of my weight against my shoulder blades. Taking my baseball cap off, I tossed it to the back seat. I ran my fingers through my hair stretching my arms and shoulders after the prior hours of sitting still.

The mist outside turned slowly to a light rain. It was that cold kind of rain that cuts to the core. Gradually the windows of the whole cab began to fog up as the warmth of the vehicle came up against the falling temperatures outside. 

Totally relaxed now, my head turned slightly toward the passenger seat. I glanced out the passenger window to see the once mist covered window turn to long lines as the damp air merge into water droplets that slid gracefully down the glass. A small ornamental tree in the front yard just beyond the glass was covered in the blue-white light of LED christmas lights.

I ran my hand across my chin, noticing the start of a good five o'clock shadow as a warm sensation was overtaking me. The sensation that had been worth ignoring the fact that I was on a stake out. The sensation that could cause a veteran FBI agent to throw away the concepts of duty and priorities. I couldn't help myself. Yeah. I'm not only a liar; I'm weak too.

Just a few weeks earlier I had made my confession to a priest. It was a big one; the sexual addictions, affairs, alcohol addiction, and more. I could almost imagine him pouring himself a whisky and lighting a cigarette on the other side of the carved, wooden lattice work and cloth that separated us in the confessional booth. Years of being an undercover FBI agent had caught up with me; screwing with my brain and bringing me to the brink of a mental breakdown. That poor priest caught the full brunt of it. Wonder if he still is at that parish or if he turned in his collar after that night's confession.

It was my weakness that had pulled me through my malaise. My weakness for confident, strong willed women. Billie had been just the ticket. Right at the point of breaking, she came bounding back into my life as my partner for both the job we were sent to do as well as my partner in bed. But just as quickly as she had re-entered my life, the rug was pulled out from under me. Now I was on the skids again. I often couldn't remember which legend I was using that day. The truth is, I really don't know who I am anymore. 

My hand slid down from my chin, across the length of my tie, down my chest and to my lap. There in the darkness of the cab, my hand found the softness that now was taking advantage of my utter weakness. I clenched my eyes, knowing that I was succumbing in ways that could truly cost me my job. It wouldn't be the first time. My little affair with Billie just a few years earlier had led to a total fuck up on a mission. Without the help of a friend who covered things up, we both would have been out; possibly even facing charges. 

Leaning back in my seat, I looked upward through the sunroof into the darkness. The sound of soft falling rain could be heard pelting the glass above me. But that's not the sound that was holding my attention now. It was the rhythmic sound of my own heavy breathing. It was the sound of pleasure.

The fingers of my left hand slid through the sandy blond hair of the head that was now in my lap. "Take my pants all the way off." I said roughly. 


Her head lifted a bit as she tugged down my pants, shoving them down my legs and into the footwell of the driver's seat. I felt the cold leather seat against my now exposed balls causing a momentary chill to run through my legs. Then without a word she went back to her task. Her left arm slid behind my back and groped at my ass while she rested her weight on her right arm that was between my legs. She massaged my aching balls, tugging at them to point my cock upward to her mouth.

Damn she was good. Just enough saliva to make my whole cock feel warmed and wonderful. She twisted her head slightly with each stroke down my shaft. It made me wish there was more light to watch the show. I had to settle for the sensations in the darkness. All I could see was the movement of her head in the darkness, but I sure as hell could feel her warm mouth slurping along my shaft. 

I slid my hand under her and gruffly unbuttoned her blouse; tugging at her bra until her soft, milky breasts were exposed and hung beneath her. Then pressing her back downward, I enjoyed the feeling of her bare breasts being pressed against my hip and thigh. I moved my leg back and forth against her breasts before spreading my legs wider as I enjoyed the pleasurable warmth of her breasts against my flesh.

She knew what I wanted. She slid her head between my legs, gripped my cock in her hand to tug it upward. She pressed her breasts against my thigh and began sucking my balls. Her hand that was behind me slid under my ass. God, she was a pro. Her middle finger was probing between my ass cheeks as she sucked and licked at my balls. She continued jacking at my cock to keep me at full attention.

Still pressing her torso down against my lap, I slid my hand down her back toward her ass. It was raised slightly in the passenger seat now, where she had been kneeling to reach my cock.

With demanding motions I yanked her tartan skirt up and onto her back, exposing her fine ass to the world. I shoved my hand down the back of her panties, sliding across her skin that was now shocked into goosebumps from the cool air. There between her legs I discovered a pleasurable warmth that made me grin. She shifted her hips compliantly and spread her stance to let my hand explore her. 

She had to be enjoying this a bit as well. She was wet. Not, 'I'm fucking my lover' wet, but wet. I took advantage of it. I shoved my middle finger deep inside her pussy and it slid in with little resistance. So I shoved in a second finger. She shifted in reaction, causing her tits to press even more firmly against my thigh as she raised her ass up to my hand. I could feel her moan gently as a mild vibration through my manhood in her mouth. 

It was clear that she was willingly giving herself to me. And it was clear that I was going to let her. My fingers started exploring her pussy, my thumb exploring her anus. She was soft and wonderful. The feel of each fold of her soft, warm, center brought a sick gratification to my brain. 

As I finger fucked her she began bobbing her head up and down my shaft, trying like hell to make me cum. But I wasn't going to make it easy for her. I was savoring each moment; holding out on her to make it last as long as humanly possible. In my sadistic, demented mind, I decided to make her work for it.

I gripped the back of her head with my left hand, palming it as if I was palming a basketball. Then I began shoving her head down into my lap with each stroke. She was taking it like a champ. So I shoved her even harder. My hips began thrusting upward into her face with each stroke downward. Occasionally I'd stop and force her head down to grind my hips into her for a satisfying deep throat. I could feel her cheeks and nose pressed firmly against my lap as she took all of me. 

When she started to gag a bit, I didn't care. I smiled to myself at the thought that I was using her like a fuck toy. And like a crack whore, hooker, she was performing her roll as a fuck toy with expertise. It clearly wasn't her first time to play the tramp to get what she wanted. I was just the lucky SOB that got to be there tonight.

I could tell that I had caught her unprepared when I thrust my thumb deep inside her ass while at the same time shoving her head down firmly into my lap. I could feel my fingers in her pussy from inside her ass. I rubbed her flesh between my fingers and thumb within her as she struggled a bit by shifting her hips to get away from the depth of my fingers probing. 

She started stroking my cock with her hand, taking a break to catch her breath for a moment. But I wasn't done with the tramp. "Get back on it, bitch!" I demanded as I grabbed the back of her head and shoved her head back into position. 

For a moment my own sexual anger shocked even me as she once again took my manhood into her throat. God, it isn't like me to use a woman like this. But then again, none of what I've done in the past couple of years is like me. How would I know anyway? Was I Max the FBI agent, Andrew the mild mannered and quite possibly gay artist, or Jim the professional accountant and businessman? What I was doing to this woman didn't fit the profile of any of my former legends. 'Maybe I am losing it', I thought as I shoved her head back downward into my lap in the darkness.

I gripped at her ass in my right hand and her head in my left as I started harshly face fucking her. My hips began thrusting up, bucking out of the driver's seat until I could feel my balls ready to let loose. I shoved her head down into a deep throat one last time as I came in her throat. She tried to push away, but I held her there through my entire climax. Each twitch of my cock could barely move as I was shoved so deeply into her that she gagged. She finally pulled away but not completely off my cock as hot cum escaped her mouth and dripped down the side of my cock.

"Lick it up, bitch." I demanded. 


She complied by sucking up and swallowing every drop. She licked at my balls and around the hilt of my cock, cleaning me. The cool air of the cab rushed in around my wet cock bringing a chill. My cock was still twitching a bit in post orgasmic pleasure.

I slid my thumb out of her ass but took more joy by thrusting my fingers in and out of her a few more times for good measure. As I finally released her she sat up in the passenger seat and wiped at her mouth. Through hard breathing she swallowed hard and let out a soft cough. She was experienced at having sex with men she wanted something from. She had obviously done this before so I wasn't giving her any pity.

Reaching into the glovebox she found a small rag that we used to clean the windshield. She used the blue, microfiber cloth to wipe her face and mouth before refolding it and putting it on her lap. She straightened her bra, pulling it back into place and began buttoning up her blouse. I tugged my pants back up and buckled my belt. I couldn't help but grin the whole time. 

Once I was completely redressed, I turned to her. "So what's so fucking important that you'd offer me a blow job just to hear you out before throwing you to the curb?" I asked.

She straightened her hair a bit with her fingers before turning to me. The light of the Christmas tree outside caught the profile of her lovely face. Leaning forward to explain herself, the light exposed her facial features. Jessica Quinn looked me in the eye. "Give me a second to catch my breath."





The Proposal

Yes. I had just gotten a blowjob from a woman who had been indicted by a federal grand jury on multiple counts of human trafficking and was out on bond, awaiting trial. Worse than that, I would be called to testify concerning her involvement in the trafficking of women as prostitutes. It was my undercover operation that had provided the evidence that would soon be used to put her away for a long time. And yes, just being in the same room with her right now was a breach of my oath that could get me fired in a heartbeat; if not thrown in jail for potential collusion.

She wiped at her cheeks and eyes again with the rag, wiping away the remaining froth in the corners of her mouth from her recent gagging. Then she shot me a phony smile. She licked her lips to moisten them then gave me a pouty look while biting just the left side of her lower lip in a sensual manner. "Not bad, Max." she seductively whispered.

I'm weak, but I'm not an idiot. I'm realistic enough to get the fact that the only way a hot babe like this would ever be intimate with a guy like me would involve a favor of some kind; if not a simple cash transaction. So while the comment was nice, it came across as cliché as a hooker moaning "oh baby, yeah, like that." I didn't respond to her cliché. I just waited to find out what I owed her for getting my rocks off.

"Out with it Jessica. You know you shouldn't be anywhere near me." I chided.

She tugged down the sun visor and checked out her makeup in the mirror. Through pursed lips being covered again in a fresh coat of lipstick she replied. "Max. Come on, I thought we were friends." She feigned while exaggerating my real name. Making mockery of the fact that she now knew me as an FBI undercover agent and not as the financial consultant working for her husband.

Seems like I have a lot of friends like Jessica lately. Friends that take advantage of you for as long as they need you before tossing you aside. But she just kept piling on the shit. "And now that we've been ... intimate; well, I thought you'd understand just how grateful I can be to people who help me." she said with dripping innuendo.

"We were never friends, babe. You were just a job. But yeah, thanks for a great blow." I threw back. It truly was a great blow. She had skills; skills that I wish every woman I had been with had learned. "I promised to hear you out, so get on with it. We can't be seen together." 

"Max. Always businesslike." She replied. She sat back in her seat and looked me right in the eye. "You know I was framed." She stated as if the concept had at least crossed my mind while investigating her.

Yet it couldn't be further from the truth. I had unlocked the data she was hiding on her laptop myself; transports, times, names, payouts, it was all there. There wasn't a doubt in my mind that she was the one behind the trafficking ring.

"Jessica, we have you dead to right. Even a first class blowjob won't get you out of this one." I stated just as firmly. "You're going to jail for a long time. Grant it, you'll probably be at one of those cushy, white collar prisons; but you're going away still the same."

"You really think I give first class head?" She playfully grinned while reaching over and grabbing my crotch. God, she was too much. It's probably why her husband who was a good 30 years older than her fell for her 'I need a sugar daddy' act.

"Okay." I said. I acted like I wanted to shove her hand away from my now spent balls, but I didn't make a very valiant effort. Her hand on my flaccid crotch felt good. Hell, I admit it. I enjoyed the fact that this gorgeous woman was willing to play with my balls; even if only because she wanted something of me.

"You still haven't told me what you want." I demanded as I stopped trying to move her hand and let her massage my groin.

"You're the only one who can prove that I was framed. And I need your help to prove it to the judge before I end up in jail." She said confidently while gently continuing her massage.

"Jessica, I'm not going to help you. I know you did this." I shot back. Without thinking through the concept of where her hand was, I continued; "And I plan on making sure you get put away for a long time."


"Which is the very reason why I need you. If I can prove it to you, then I can prove it to my lawyer and the judge." She gave my cock a special squeeze before she continued, "I'm willing to pay you very well for your help." 

I knew what she meant. She was offering her sexual favors not just tonight to hear her out, but on an ongoing basis to help her. Hell, it's about the best offer I've had all year.

"You do understand that it was my job to provide the evidence that clearly shows you were involved. I've seen the evidence and there's no way it wasn't you heading up this scheme." I said. God, what was I saying? Hell! Just lead her on, make her think I'm helping, and use her for a fuck toy until she gets put away.

But her response caught my attention. She let go of my cock and sat back in her seat and shrank back. Putting one hand to her mouth she looked out the window. I couldn't tell if she was crying but I knew that the mood changed radically. It wasn't an act. "I didn't do it Max. I swear." she said solemnly but filled with resolute strength.

I'm a guy who tells lies for a living. Working as an undercover agent for this many years, I'm a professional liar and I know all the tricks. I've trained with the best to hone my skills. At the same time, being a professional liar means I can also spot a liar a mile away. There are tells that a trained investigator knows to look for while interrogating a witness. There are head turns, eye movements and changes in breathing patterns. There can be the repeating of planned phrases and something as simple as pointing their finger at you. 

Sure she was not being totally truthful when she talked her way into the Suburban. The way she was clutching at her own throat was a clear indication of someone trying to protect vulnerability. She was hiding something when she told me how and why she had followed me to this stake out. That was clear from the shuffling of her feet once she was in the car. She was full of shit when she negotiated just a few minutes of my time in exchange for a blow-job. But she was being truthful now. From the moment she said 'I didn't do it Max', all the patterns of a liar vanished.





The next morning felt like it came quickly. Too quickly. With a sharp click of a light switch, the task room was filled with harsh light that filled the working table and caused objects to cast stark shadows. Several plastic bags with ID tags attached cluttered the space. I grabbed a work stool and pulled it up to the table, screeching as it slid across the tile floor. 




Liar Ch. 02



With one quick tug on the seal, I pulled out the laptop that had been tightly wrapped in its clear plastic shell since our investigation was concluded. 

"Early bird?" Ross commented as he entered the task room. He was juggling a pile of documents while trying to carefully sip on a Starbucks; the aroma of which filled the room quickly. 

"Just wanted to think things through before the noise pollution raises in this den of hyenas." I mumbled.

"Need me to leave you alone?"

"Yes." I said in my typical gruff voice.

Adrian Ross was a good kid and a quick learner. He already had figured out when to leave the boss alone and walk away. He started to back out of the room as silently as he had arrived.

"Wait." I demanded, dropping the evidence log back onto the table. He may be young but he's a trained investigator and I needed more eyes on this. He paused facing me with his butt to the door and an expression that asked, 'okay, which is it?' "Ross, is there anything in this case that would lead you to believe that Jessica Quinn wasn't the ring leader of this whole thing?"

Ross took a step back toward the table and put the pile of documents down. He took a quick sip on his dark roast before pausing and looking at me directly. It was almost as if he was building courage to tell me something that had been on his mind. "Okay, you asked. So here's the deal."

Ominous. Ross was a rookie but capable. I could tell that he seemed to have something that was bothering him about the case. But clearly being a rookie, he had seen something he wasn't sure if he had the status to address.

He pulled the laptop around to face him and opened the screen making the Macbook light up. Pulling up terminal mode, he began clicking at the machine; which responded by pouring out a cascade of data. He used his foot to hook the leg of a stool and drag it over next to his place. He sat down without looking to the stool while scrolling through the flashing screen.

"There's something that's been nagging me about this data." he said pointing to the list of data files that had revealed encoded information buried deep in bits and bytes. "Yeah, the hidden files were embedded in these, thirty three photo files. We originally discovered it because you noticed the file sizes didn't match typical file sizes for the camera she used. But if you look a bit deeper there's more. The file sizes didn't match, that's true. But neither did the metadata's timestamps."

"So the metadata updated the timestamp at the time she embedded the data she was hiding to the files. We got that. That all fits with the scenario." I mused. "Why's it nagging you then?"

"It's just that the metadata for all thirty three files shows a network signature that the laptop was tied into the intranet at One Gateway Center." Ross explained.

"Still not getting you." I questioned back.


Ross looked me in the eye as he rambled off information. "Jessica Quinn was in Denver at the time this file was opened, embedded, and saved. She was in Paris on the date of this file's time stamp. And several of the other files here were uploaded to her laptop remotely but through the intranet system at One Gateway Center. Her laptop was tied into the intranet at One Gateway Center in Pittsburgh but on the dates tied to most of these files, she wasn't in town." He took a deep breath as a load of pressure had just been released.

"So you're saying Jessica didn't have a hand in this, she was just an unknowing mule?" I quizzed.

"Possession is as they say nine tenths of the law. But only nine tenths. It's not my job to tell you she didn't know about it. But I can tell you that she may of had this laptop in her possession and not even known what was on it." He hesitated and looked for some response from me. "Just sayin'" He continued following an awkward pause. "Like maybe the laptop was in Pittsburgh but she wasn't." Ross stammered, waiting for my response that was delayed as I was thinking it through. "Okay, well maybe I'm totally wrong for bringing it up." He stood and started to pick up the files he had previously been carrying before I stopped him.

"Hold on. I may be a bastard, but I'm not the kind of bastard that puts someone away with even a hint of the possibility that I could be wrong." I grabbed his arm and pulled him back to the stool he was using. "Show me everything."

For the next two hours, Ross pulled up each of the files individually and pointed out the discrepancies of the timestamps as they correlated to which network system the computer had been connected with at the time the file was placed on her computer.





Be Straight With Me

Night had fallen and I just finished my after dinner routine by cleaning up before getting liquored up. I turned out the kitchen light and made my way to the den. The glow of the tv cast a rectangular light that fell into the hallway as SportsCenter was cycling though the top stories again for the fourth or fifth time. Dropping back into my old leather easy chair I rattled the two large ice cubes around in the amber liquid of my glass before taking a sip.

I can't remember if I had drifted off for a while or if only a moment had passed, but I heard a pecking sound at my kitchen door. Someone was timidly knocking at the door as if there was hesitation in their intent.

Climbing up from my groggy resting place and heading to the door I could see the shadow of someone turned away from the glass. I switched the porch light on and the body turned. It was Jessica.

I quickly shut the off the porch light and opened the door; grabbed her arm and tugged her into the room. Slamming the door closed behind her the miniblinds mounted on the door flew to one side, then back into place with a loud clanging sound.

"How the fuck did you find my home? And just what the hell do you think you're doing, coming here?" I demanded.

"Easy there Max. I followed you home two weeks ago. Thought it was information I'd need some day." She furloughed her brow and shrugged off the question as if to ask 'who cares?'

"You know I could lose my job if someone catches you here?" I shouted back at her. I gripped her arm a bit too tightly as I continued pulling her into the darkness of the kitchen. Even as the words left my lips I could see her disregard my concerns.

"Max, I'm sorry. I just need to know if you had a chance to even consider what we talked about. It's not like I can call the FBI office and ask for 'Max'" She quietly replied.

I let her go long enough to twist the mini binds rod, closing off any view to lessen the likelihood of someone seeing us through the window. "Come on in here away from the windows." I grabbed her arm and drug her toward the den where the glow of the tv was the only light in the room.

"Tell me you know something more." She stated as I let go of her arm. She then strode boldly into the center of the room while taking off her coat. Tossing her leather coat to the couch she displayed a skirt far to short for this time of year. It was red plaid and pleated, barely covering her firm, round ass. Black, tight leggings reached up to the middle of her thighs leaving a soft milky, ring of white flesh for my eyes to feast upon just below her short skirt. 

A soft black sweater that opened in the front permitted only a sheer, silk camisole underneath to peek through. The sleeves of her sweater had been tugged up her forearms. She made the 'innocent school girl look' seem hotter than any porn video I had ever watched. All I could think about was wanting to be schooled by her.

She turned to took at me with anticipation, folding her arms under her breasts. Scanning the room she looked over the furniture and decorations. Slowly she was drawn to a wall of photographs that were framed that covered one side of the room. She studied my photography as if there was nothing unusual for her to be in my home. But I knew she was a photo geek too. It's the way we all respond to a new cluster of pictures to view.

Jessica was petite and small breasted but her folded arms under her breasts made her look a bit too enticing for my liking. I knew she was hot but I didn't want her looks to cloud my judgment. One look at her was causing blood to rush from my thinking head to my non-thinking head.

"I can't promise anything," I started. But that was all I needed to say. She realized instantly that I was no longer convinced she was the sole culprit of the crime for which she was accused. Her whole demeanor brightened as she turned away from the exhibit of framed photos and rushed toward me.

"I knew I could trust you!" She exclaimed. Her words stung a bit. I was the one who threw her in jail, convinced she was the hideous creature that had transported women from third world countries to be used as toys for executives.

She rushed toward me and wrapped her arms around me, enveloping me. I could feel the warmth of her cheek against my chest. My business white dress shirt was unbuttoned half way and my sleeves had been rolled up from cleaning up after dinner.

The warmth of her body flooded mine; or was it just the flush of the whisky I had been sipping.

"I just knew that if anyone would do the right thing and get me out of this mess it would be you!" She continued. She let go of her grip around my body and reached up to take my face in her hands. She kissed me, full out, and dug her tongue into my mouth.

I pushed her back down and away from me by grabbing both of her arms. "Wait; wait just a second." I cleared my throat from the tongue lashing she was giving me. "I just mean that there are some discrepancies that need to be cleared up. While I'm convinced you weren't the ring-leader of this thing, the jury is still out on if you were involved."

She just stood there and grinned. "What?" I asked her non-response. She didn't reply. "What?" I asked more firmly. 

"Nobody believed me but you." She closed her eyes in joyful expression. Almost as if a weight had been lifted. Her hands still against my chest, I could feel her melt with relief.

"Jessica, I can't say that I believe you." I started. "I'm just saying that I see the discrepancies in the evidence that we have to look into."

"It's okay Max. If you see the problem you'll dig out the facts. And if you dig out the facts you'll see that I was framed. God, don't you get it? I didn't do this. When you start sorting through all this you'll find out that I'm telling the truth!" 

Her voice rose gradually in volume and in pitch with each sentence. She was obviously excited by the news. Once again, I watched for any tell she would give to indicate she was lying. But I couldn't find it anywhere. Her excitement seemed legit. Her emotion was not contrived but genuine.

She pushed back past the grip of my hands holding her away and started kissing me again. But this time I let her. God she felt good. Her warmth, her taste, even the aroma of her perfume; all worked to break down my resistance. 

Jessica's tongue danced in my mouth as she tilted her head to one side to take mine in hers. She gripped the back of my head. The feeling was astounding. I could feel the remaining buttons of my dress shirt being unbuttoned through fumbling fingers as she worked one handed. 


Within seconds she was ripping shirt tails up out of my waistband and shoving my shirt off my shoulders; never letting her lips leave mine. I tore my shirt off my arms and pulled her toward me.

She pulled away from my lips and looked at me. It was as if she wanted me to say something; something I truly didn't understand. I wanted to tell her everything. I wanted to spill the details of why it was I now had some doubt of her involvement. But all I could think about was the pale flesh of her thighs just below that skirt. Why is it that I can't think straight around women like this one? And why is it that they seem to know it?

Doesn't she get it? Doesn't she understand just how vulnerable I am right now? Just having her in my home could jeopardize the whole investigation and get me thrown out of the FBI. 

"Jessica, just understand that I can't offer you any more right now, so .." I was trying to tell her that she didn't need to do this sex thing; that I would do the right thing and continue investigating the discrepancies without her needing to 'buy' my attention with sexual favors. But she was now tugging at my belt; the clanging sound of the buckle being thrust aside gave way to the sound of a zipper being opened. Her hands moved with the exuberance of her youth.

Jessica moved in next to me. I could feel the warmth of her breath against my chest as she got close. She looked intently down my torso to my hips as she slid her hand past the waistband of my boxers. Her head fell against my chest and I could feel her whole body gasp, then exhale slowly as she gripped my cock in her hand.

"Jessica. You," I started to speak but the sensation was so astounding that I couldn't finish the sentence. 

I let my fingers rake through her hair. Then I gripped her head, gently pulling her head backward by the handful of hair in my fist. She looked up and gazed into my eyes as she gripped my cock just a bit more firmly. 

I kissed her. I wanted to stop myself; to admit that this was wrong, to do the right thing, to end it before it began. But I was weak. I kissed her. The warmth of her mouth made me all the weaker. She shouldn't have to offer herself to me like this. I'm sworn to duty as an FBI agent yet here I am taking a 'bribe' so to speak.

I slid my free arm around the small of her back and pulled her tightly to me and kissed her again. Gently this time. It took self control. I was hungry for her. Maybe I was just hungry for any woman but the fact that it was Jessica made me even more ravenous. 

Her tongue in my mouth brought the taste of peppermint and just a hint of a recent cigarette. I drank her in, gripping the back of her head now as I explored her mouth with my tongue. Jessica lifted herself up onto her toes, pushing her tongue deeper into my mouth. I caught a brief whiff of the smell of her sweet shampoo. 

Jessica's fingertips scratched at the back of my head and then along the side of my face as she paused to feel our mouths interlocked by our kiss. 

Somewhere in her kiss I lost reality for a moment. I lifted her off the ground solely by pulling her into my grip and I backed her up against the wall behind her. The wall shook with the force of her body striking. One of the framed photographs slid to the side and then fell from the wall harmlessly onto the couch. 

I pressed my body against her as she hung in the air supported between my body and the wall. She wrapped her arms around my neck to help hold her there as we kissed. I could feel her legs raise up and wrap around my hips. 

Reaching down my right hand found the white flesh above those leggings that had captivated me from the moment her jacket was thrown aside. I could feel her soft skin against her surprisingly strong leg muscles that gripped my hips. With a handful of thigh flesh in my grip, I helped to hold her in position and pressed in against her body to kiss her again. 

I slid one hand across her face, pulling her now disheveled hair out of her eyes to look at her. She was lovely. I tenderly slid the back of my fingers against the softness of her cheek before I kissed her again. Her legs wrapped around behind me as she rested her weight on my hips.

The warmth of her fleshy leg in my hand drove me insane. I slid that hand up under the short skirt to find nothing but more flesh; just her hip bones, pelvis, the slightness of her waist and the warm, firm ass that I had watched every day while undercover at her office. 

The confusion in my eyes must have been clear. She looked deeply into my eyes as I explored under her tartan skirt. My fingers suddenly discovered her bear, wet, pussy but no panties.

She grinned for a moment before she explained. "I knew you'd find something. I believed you could prove me innocent. So I came prepared to repay you as promised."

My clouded judgment came crashing in me. I can't! This isn't real. She's only offering herself to me for my information. I pulled my mouth from hers; grabbing her shoulders I let her slide down the wall and lowered her to the floor.

My brain felt like it was buzzing. My whole body was trembly. But I willed myself to composure. "Jessica," I tried to start again. I tried to tell her that she didn't have to do this. But the silence was deafening. The confusion on her face said it all. Her lips were still parted. Her cheeks were flush, red with warmth from the encounter.

"I'm sorry Jessica." I stammered. 

She stood up, no longer supported against the wall. Utter bewilderment gradually melted across her expression. "Is it me? Don't I please you?" She asked as she looked to my eyes for an answer. She sounded almost hurt by my reaction.

I wiped my mouth. I was exhausted and not thinking correctly. "God no, that's not it at all." I creaked out. I stood up erect and looked up at the ceiling for a moment as I exhaled.

"Then why?" she asked again.

I pressed the palm of my hand against my forehead as if to hold my brain together. I looked for some way to express it to her. Then I took a deep breath before turning to look her in the eye. "Because it's wrong of me. Because I don't take advantage of people. Because I shouldn't demand this of you. Hell, because I think I care about you. A thousand reasons to know it's not a good idea."

Jessica smirked at me. It wasn't a smirk of distain. More of a 'for god's sake tell me something I don't know' kind of smirk. It was a bit disconcerting. Almost as if she knew the punchline to the joke and I was the punchline. It seemed like forever before she spoke. "Max, I know just how fucked up you are. I don't care."

Her words didn't make sense to me. Maybe because much of my blood flow wasn't getting to my brain cells right at this moment. "Look, I can't just use people like this; this sex for information thing. I shouldn't be so fucked up that you can twist me this way. I don't much like being used by someone who knows how fucked up I am."

"That's not what I meant. I'm not just using you." She put her fists to her hips as if to stand her ground. "I mean, I know you're just getting over someone. I don't know who it is but I get the impression she hurt you. So I don't care how fucked up you are about it. Frankly, it's because I knew you'd do the right thing that I find you so attractive. You have that 'boy scout thing' going on that is kinda cute." 

"Jessica, the other night I was weak. You caught me at a time when I was a bit off my game. I normally don't do things like that." I tried to explain.

"Maybe you just can't get it through your head that I came to you because I knew you'd doggedly go after this and fix my mess if I asked you. And for the record, I knew you'd do the right thing even without some incentive. But are you just to boy scout to catch on to the fact that maybe I gave you a blowjob because I wanted to?" She shot back with a hint of sarcasm.

Her words caught me a bit off guard. There was nothing in our prior contacts that would lead me to believe that such a thing would ever be even imagined; let alone possible. Unnerved by her comment, I reached for my glass and took a brief sip to shake the cobwebs away.

Jessica reached for the glass after I sipped from it and took it away from me. "Hell, I know we're worlds apart and you're obviously pining away for whoever it is that did you wrong." She downed the rest of the drink and grimaced at the hard liquor. Sucking in some air from the shock of the whisky she set the glass down on the coffee table. 

"Okay, confession of my own." She started, putting one hand on my chest and looking me in the eye again. "I haven't had sex since this whole thing hit the fan. It's not like guys are just lining up at my door to spend time with me when I'm out on bond before trial, being followed everywhere by FBI agents in black suits and watched over by my husband's private security." 




Liar Ch. 02



Jessica had caught me speechless. It's a rare thing to hear a woman being so direct and up front about her desires. The funny thing is, I could tell she knew she had me. I must have been a sight; mouth agape and confused by her aggressive approach.

Processing in my brain the ramifications of being in the same room with a woman that I was investigating, I paused. It's not just inappropriate due to communicating. It's EXTREMELY inappropriate that we had been sexually intimate too. But she didn't give me long to think it through. 

She put her hand flat against my chest and pushed me back against the wall. "For me it's a win win. I need a guy before I explode. And on top of that you're boy scout act is kinda sexy. So take your pants off before I change my mind." She shot a devilish grin at me, standing her ground.

God, I love aggressive women. No head games, no pretense, no wondering what it is that she wants. Just straight forward demands. I can deal with that. Suddenly the concept of right and wrong; duty and responsibility, went out the window. I picked up the process of taking my pants off where Jessica had ended.

Shoving my pants off my legs and stepping out of the clump of cloth that was now at my ankles, I leaned back to catch my breath. Jessica didn't waste time catching her breath. She dropped down to her knees in front of me and immediately grasped my cock in her hands.

I was unaware of how aroused I was. Maybe her whole 'I'm in charge and I like it' routine was more of a turn on than I had even imagined. Maybe it's the fact that this hot, former trophy wife, was now intently sucking me off. Damn, this girl could teach seminars on how to give a blow. And that's a seminar nobody should miss.

My head involuntarily fell back against the wall and I found myself staring at the ceiling as she pleasured me. I could feel the soft waves of her hair as I held her head in my hands. The rhythmic motion of her taking me in and out of her mouth was both electrifying and relaxing at the same time. I felt my hips moving in time with her strokes, almost as if they had a mind of their own.

Her hands began exploring me as her tongue twirled around the head of my cock. I glanced down to watch and found her eyes looking upward to me; gauging my approval. But she could tell; she knew that she had broken me. She knew I'd give her anything she wanted at this moment. 

The warmth of her fingertips reached up between my legs and fondled my balls playfully. Suddenly she gripped my cock and tugged gently upward, exposing my balls to her mouth. The warm, luscious sensation of her mouth sucking one of my balls into her mouth was combined with the unique, pulling sensation of my core being pulled into her.

I spread my legs and rested back against the wall, drinking in the sensations. Cupping the back of her hair I felt the soft curls of her hair in my hand.

Far too soon for my liking, she stood upright. Grabbing me by the cock playfully she pulled. She was leading me like a dog on a leash. Her walk was sensual but still somewhat demanding. I was led to my soft leather easy chair and instructed to sit.

She walked back to the coffee table, her short skirt flittering behind her. Momentarily I felt exposed, wearing only my white dress shirt that was now just hanging on my shoulders. 

Jessica took the whiskey glass and strode into the kitchen. I could hear her pouring more into the glass before she sauntered back into the den. The glow of ESPN reflected off her gorgeous frame as she stood in the doorway sipping from the glass.

"Can I get you anything else?" I mumbled awkwardly.

She walked over to me and offered me a sip of the whiskey. I took it. I was warm enough already but I sipped anyway.

As I handed it back to her, she grinned at me before asking, "Can I get YOU anything else?"

God she was so utterly incredible at the game she was playing. "Yes. Yes you can." I responded, trying not to let my voice crack at the thought.

She stepped away toward the coffee table and put the glass back down. Then she turned to look me over; seated naked except for my unbuttoned dress shirt.

With each step she took back toward me, she stepped out of her shoes. Then she started unbuttoning the little black sweater. She tossed it aside to the couch and peeled of the camisole, exposing her gorgeous breasts. She was small but firm and desirable. The white rings of her fleshy thighs that were exposed seem to sweep slowly toward me, grabbing my attention.

When she got to the easy chair, she climbed it. Her knees on either arm rest she climbed even higher. When she had positioned herself where she desired, she raised her little tartan skirt. Her perfectly trimmed mound was just inches from my face.

She grabbed the back of the easy chair and climbed even higher. She moved onto her feet with her knees pressed to either side of my head as she lowered that lovely mound to my face. 

I knew what she wanted and hell if I was going to disappoint her. My tongue lapped up under her exposed mound and began digging into her wetness. I felt the tartan skirt drop on top of my head as she grabbed more tightly to the back of the chair.

Reaching up under the tail side of her skirt, my hands groped at her round, firm ass as I licked her sweetness. Her pelvic movements assured me that I was correct in assuming this was what she wanted. As if there was a doubt. Within moments she was riding my face, arching her torso upward and moving up and down in synchronization with my tongue. 

For a few moments I just pressed my tongue into her and let her movements do the work. It seemed to please her. I figured she wanted to be in control so I'd let her. With each stroke, her hips moved more fluidly. From time to time I could feel her body shiver with amusement as she used my face for her enjoyment. Gripping her ass firmly, I pressed her hips into my face. The feel of her inner thigh muscles against my cheeks was phenomenal. I was immersed in her.

Her movements hastened. I felt her right hand leave it's firm grip on the chair to reach behind my head. She cradled my head into her lap and began grinding her hips into my face.

Suddenly she pushed away and fell back slightly. She went down to her knees on each armrest and lowered her face to mine. Grabbing my head she ravished me with kisses. 

A hand fumbled and groped into my lap, grabbing my cock and pointing it upward. Her body weight fell toward me as she shifted. Then I felt it. The undeniable, utterly desirable, warmth of her wetness.

With the head of my cock pressed against her warmth, I could feel my cock being held in place by only the tip. Both of her hands returned to my face and she shoved her tongue into my mouth. 

She gasped and softly moaned as she kissed me. The sensation of her whole body, melting slowly around my cock as she ever so gradually let her weight settle downward; caused my eyes to roll to the back of my head.

Pushing away from our kiss I could see her face clearly in the glow of the room. Her mouth was open and she had an expression of sheer indulgence that I almost let loose inside her. But I wanted to hold on; to extend this for more than just a moment in time. 

Her left hand reached around behind my head and grabbed my neck. She leaned back so that she could settle in more deeply, dropping all her weight downward for a satisfying second stroke. 

Her feet slid off the armrests and splayed off either side of the chair, stretching her open to take me in. I could see her firm torso but was restrained from the joy of seeing me penetrate her due to the bunched pile of tartan skirt that voided my view.

But it was fine. I didn't need to see how deeply I was penetrating her. I knew. I could feel her.

She grabbed the back of my neck and raised her self upward, only to drop down her full weight on my cock. I grabbed her hips and aided her in the motion, her legs flayed outward to either side of the chair with each stroke. She began riding me, dropping harder and harder with each movement. 

Occasionally she would drop down and grind her hips from side to side for a moment before rising up again. My head was spinning as she used me like an amusement ride. The expression of sheer delight on her face was an indulgence to me.

Her eyes opened and she dropped firmly down, grinding her hips into my lap. She leaned into me and deeply kissed me as it happened. Her body shivered. Her thighs and hips convulsed as she achieved her orgasm. 

I gripped her back and drew her torso to mine. She was damp with sweat and her skin was suddenly covered in goosebumps. A guttural groan came from her mouth as she released me from our kiss. 

For a long moment she just sat there, my cock deep inside her as she drank in the sensations.

"I take it you had a little one there?" I whispered.

She grabbed my neck and kissed me again, pressing her tongue into my mouth. Letting go she grinned, "More than a 'little one'" she exclaimed.

Our bodies griped one another as her breathing slowly returned to normal. "Did you want a 'little one' too?" She asked playfully.

"I thought you'd never ask." I whispered in her ear.





Ross Has Some Answers

6:18 am. The coffee had finished brewing and I stood in the early light of a new day. Coffee in my home isn't a routine or procedure for getting a day started. It's a sacred ritual of life that should be taken seriously. 

I use only freshly roasted beans, grind them daily, and make coffee that is strong and black. You don't mar the holy cup with sugar in it or deface it with creamer. You certainly don't desecrate something so pure and perfect with nut oils, extracts, or candies. There's an assigned place in hell for people who profane the hollowed nature of the cup.

Pouring the pure, dark elixir into my favorite coffee cup, I drank in the aroma of today's roast. I leaned back against the counter near the sink and sipped the first essence of awareness for a new day. The cold edge of the counter pressed against my back as I stood wearing only a pair of pajama pants that were barely tugged up above my hips. 

A draft of warm air rushed against my bare feet from the furnace vent hidden snuggly under the cabinets. There's something pleasant about that spot. I glanced out the window at the new fallen snow that blanketed Charles Pointe; my little neighborhood of newly built condos and town houses. 

Somehow a freshly brewed cup of Columbian coffee could invigorate me and bring me back to life again when nothing else will. As I sipped my coffee I glanced into the den where the night before I had experienced Jessica. 'Hell, we experienced each other a couple of times each', I grinned to myself.

Someone was heard running up onto the front porch; a banging on the door followed that would have awakened the dead. "MAX! MAX!" I could hear. It was Ross pounding on the door.

I gradually made my way to the door at a far less urgent pace than Ross.

"MAX!! You've got to see this!" He shouted as he heard the deadbolt turn, indicating my presence. Ross was bundled up as if we were under blizzard warnings. His deep southern upbringing made him a true weather wuss. Entering the door he shed the coat and gloves before yanking out a laptop.

"Okay, okay. What's so important that you had to come banging at my door so early?" I inquired.

Ross moved quickly into the living room where he sat down on a couch in front of the picture window. "I've got something I need to show you and I thought you'd want to see it without anyone else around." he replied. He pulled out a laptop and began clicking away at something on the screen. 

He probably had created an elaborate PowerPoint presentation to explain his findings. It's his M.O. I took advantage of his distraction and went into the kitchen to refill my coffee cup. "Want a cup of coffee?" I yelled from the kitchen.

"No, I ran through a Hardee's drive through and got some on the way." Ross replied.

I cringed at the very thought of fast food coffee as I walked back into the room. The poor boy actually thought he had been drinking coffee when all he had was some awful, black mess from a drive through. "Okay so tell me what this is all about.

He turned the laptop around and pointed it at me to show me the screen. "See this? This is one of the files that was on Jessica Quinn's laptop. And this," he pointed to a long text file in another window, "this is the document that we extracted from the file." Ross explained.


"Yes, I get all that. I was kinda there when we found it." I mockingly replied while sipping more coffee.

"Don't be a smart ass." Ross dryly replied. "There's more. See this?" He clicked a few buttons and characters were highlighted. 

He stood up with the excitement of his 'find'. "It was there the whole fuckin' time!" He said.

"Sit down and relax. What was there all the time?" I replied.

He sat back down with an impish grin on his face. "The whole fuckin' time there was a cypher message hidden in the document that was encrypted in the photo file!" 

"How do you know that?" I quizzed.


"Look." He pulled the laptop back and too the image file into photoshop. With a few clicks of the glidepad he changed the image contrast and then noise. When he turned the laptop around again and the unmistakeable outline of a number appeared hidden in the image. It was a '7'.

"What the fuck?" I mused as he continued.

"That's what I mean. It was there all the time." He blurted out with his eyes wide as saucers.

"But how does that cause this text document to change. What did you highlight?" I inquired as he calmed a bit.

"Max. I was toying with the photos, trying to see if there was anything in the image we could use. I tried zooming in to see details in the image. I tried to find hidden meaning in the locations and the backgrounds. But when I hit the noise function the colors changed and this number appeared. The 7 had to mean something. I kept wracking my brain trying to figure out why there was a 7 hidden in the image. Then it dawned on me. Steganography!" Ross barely took a breath during his explanation.

"Stegwhatery?" I mocked back.

"A Greek word - concealed. But in cipher and cryptology it means a simple code hidden in plain sight. The image itself was a freakin key! The key for this document is '7'."

"So seven whats?" I asked.

"LOOK MAX!" Ross seemed to lose his patience with me, but I had never studied greek. "Every seventh word! It's a childishly simple cipher hidden in the text. We were so busy looking at the encrypted document, we didn't think to ask if the document itself was bogus."

The highlighted words in the document Ross was showing me formed sentences. They were still rough since the punctuation was missing but the text clearly was readable.

Ross started tapping firmly on the screen. "Don't you get it?? The document was a ruse to throw us off. It might even have been designed to intentionally frame Jessica."

While I focused on reading through the highlighted words and tried to make sense of the content, I could see someone pass by in my peripheral vision. A body wearing a white men's dress shirt passed down the hallway toward the kitchen. The distinguishable sound of a cup being pulled from the cabinet and fresh coffee being poured could be heard.

Ross glanced over my shoulder and down the hallway to the kitchen where he could see the movement of a white dress shirt and bare legs. "Shit Max. Sorry. I didn't realize you had company."

"It's okay. This is a pretty important discovery. Great work indeed." I said, still reading the text.

Ross leaned in toward me and whispered. "It's not Billie is it?"

I looked up and grinned for a moment. "No, it's certainly not Billie." I went back to reading the document.

"Good. Cause that would be really awkward if it was ......" He stopped mid-sentence as Jessica entered the room wearing only my white dress shirt from the day before. 

Jessica came next to me and sat down on the armrest of my chair to look over my shoulder. She was gripping the coffee cup with both hands to get warm, blowing on the top of the cup. She tilted her head as she recognized the picture. "Hey, that's one of my photos." She said before taking a sip of coffee.

Ross fell back in the couch speechless. I looked up to see the reaction of young Ross. It was as I imagined. He was stunned. But like a deer in headlights, once the shock is over; panic begins.

The shock was over. "What the fuck?? Are you out of your mind, Max? She can't be here. She can't be anywhere near us! Have you lost your mind?" He ranted as he stood up and grabbed his coat and gloves. "I can't be here! I don't want to know about this! They said you were a nutcase at the office. Maybe they were right."

"He's kinda cute when he blushes." Jessica sarcastically stated.

"Are you insane? Do you not have any shred of logic floating in that brain of yours?" Ross slipped into panic mode.

"Relax Ross. It's okay. We only slept together once." I replied.


Jessica leaned over and whispered in my ear.

"Really?" I said to her. "Okay, I stand corrected. We slept together twice." I grinned; almost as much as she was grinning.

"Don't make a stupid joke out of this. You know you can get fired, or or or thrown in jail, or both!!" Ross muttered.

"She didn't do it." I stated dryly. My comment made Jessica raise her eyebrows a bit in mild shock.

"How do you know that?" Ross all but shouted back. "Just tell me. Is it because she 'swore she didn't? Does she talk in her sleep?" He made a grand, mocking swing of his arms as he spoke. "Or is it that she gave you some sob story?"

"Maybe it's that I'm great in the sack." Jessica mockingly replied. She feathered back the hair on the side of my head and kissed my forehead playfully.

"Enough you two." I stopped them both before explaining. "Didn't you read this Stegwhatery thing?" I asked pointing to the laptop screen.

"No, I just found that it made sentences. So I had the computer highlight every seventh word. It's not my job to interpret the content, just to find it." Ross calmly replied.

"Maybe you should read this part!" I turned the laptop around and pointed to a sentence toward the bottom of the second page.

".... Adam wants 150 additional women on trip next get Jessica out Europe ..." The awkwardly composed sentence was contrived and woven into the seventh paragraph of the document.







Just Friends

Two hours later Ross and I were standing around the workstation at FBI Headquarters. Ross was still drying off his pants where his cheap coffee had spilled. Maybe he'll think about it next time I say "buckle your seatbelt." My years of driving in DC and Philadelphia had rubbed off on me. Erratic and aggressive driving habits seemed a bit out of place in the much smaller community of Clarksburg.

Focused on scanning, cataloging and reading all the hidden messages in the files we had already scanned, cataloged and read previously revealed damning evidence against Adam Quinn. The real question was if Jessica was truly a part of this or if I was getting soft. 

"Nothing rules her out in what I'm seeing here." Ross muttered as he threw a scratch pad with notes on the table next to the computer monitors.

"Nothing rules her in either." I shot back. Probably shot back too quickly. It sure sounded as if I was making excuses for the woman that I had just spent the night with.

"Okay, okay. Don't bite my head off. I'm only the messenger." Ross said, putting his hands up in a defensive move.

"Don't bite who's head off?" A voice came from the doorway.

I didn't turn to see who it was. I knew. It was Billie. I am getting soft. She had slithered to the doorway and was watching us. Somehow my normal spidy sense didn't catch the fact that she was there. 




Liar Ch. 03



The hours following the kiss, Gabe found himself staring up at the ceiling thinking of all the reasons he should stay the hell away from Sloane. In case he should forget, Dean's loud snoring provided him with reason number one. 

Growing up with the Bennett brothers, he knew how overprotective they were with their only sister. With the drama she saw from all the girls her brothers brought through the house, it didn't surprise him that she didn't date much. He knew all too well that it wasn't due to lack of offers either. Sloane had been an enigma in high school. She was completely unaware of her beauty and the fact that she was untouchable because of her brothers only furthered the temptation she had on the all the guys. He remembered doing his fair share of threatening when any asshole got the idea that they'd be the first to 'Bed the Bennett Princess'. 

He saw how kind and caring she was to everyone around him, but always seemed annoyed by him and fought him at every given opportunity. Not that he didn't give her a reason to. He always looked at Sloane from a brotherly stand, he'd never once thought of Sloane as his type or any type for the matter. She was Sloane, and he liked his women with no-strings attached. It wasn't a secret, he knew his reputation and so did all the girls he messed with. 

He drifted off to sleep with the promise that first thing in the morning he'd tell her she was right, the kiss had been a mistake.

******

Sloane had managed to successfully avoid Gabe by spending the better part of the morning barricaded in her room. However, the unrelenting growl coming from her stomach made her realize that she was going to have to leave the safe sanctuary of her bedroom. 

She put her ear against the door straining to hear any movement in the house. When she didn't hear anything, she quietly opened her door and headed downstairs. Sloane was almost to the kitchen when she was startled by someone coming out. Her first instinct was to swing her fist in self-defense. When she felt her fist come in contact with flesh, she turned around and ran.

She took a few steps into the living room before she tripped over her own footing. Silently swearing as she pushed herself up, she only made it a few more steps before she felt an iron grip on her ankle. She fell hard, hitting her chin on the floor. She used her free leg to wildly kick out until she felt it connect with something followed by angry cursing. Angry male cursing. Angry Gabe cursing.

"Gabe?!" Sloane said struggling to catch her breath, "You scared the life out of me. I thought you were an attacker or something."

"What is it with you and attackers? Last night with the bat and now this." Gabe breathed out standing on his knees in front of her, he winced as he lifted his shirt to survey the damage, "Shit, Sloane, you got some kick on you. That's gonna bruise." he said while gently prodding his ribs. 

"Well maybe...shouldn't...have jumped...like that." Sloane said distracted by the sight of his tanned, washboard abs. She fought the overwhelming sensation to rub her hands all over them. By the time she was aware she was about to drool, she tore her eyes away to see him already looking at her amused. 

Busted, she thought as she hurriedly thought of something to say before he called her out on it.

"Where's Dean?" Sloane blurted it out so quickly she practically shrieked it.

"He left." Gabe said matter-of-factly.

"Huh?" Sloane said dumbly, "How are you supposed to get back?"

"Jackson and Jude are still in town. I'm going to catch a ride back with them."

"So we're alone?" Sloane said looking up at Gabe who was still kneeling in front of her.

"I guess we are, aren't we?"

"Oh well...I'm just going to..." Sloane said moving to get up. 

"Oh no, you don't." Gabe said grabbing her wrist and turning her back to face him, "We need to talk about what happened last night." 

"What's there to talk about?" Sloane said.

"I don't want there to be any awkwardness between us." Gabe groaned remembering part of the reason he preferred "no-stings attached" was because he sucked at breaking things off. "We both know it was mistake...and...uh, I think we should just be friends." 

Sloane didn't know if she should laugh at Gabe's obvious discomfort or slap him. She was the one that said the kiss was a mistake so she wasn't sure why Gabe was telling her what she already knew. She fought her natural instinct to argue with him, but realized that the sooner he 'broke the news' to her the faster he'd leave. 

"Oh, okay." Sloane said suppressing a laugh and managing to put on a serious face, "I guess I can settle on being friends."

Gabe was a little taken back about how well she was taking it. He wasn't expecting her to be so compliant. He was expecting her to scream, yell, hit him or all of the above, "So you're okay?" 

"Of course I am. With your reputation I wouldn't expect anything different." Sloane said in tone that was so sincere he almost believed it. 

Almost. He could see from where he stood that her eyes were glittering with either laughter or passion, his pride lied and told him it was the latter.

He dumbly started back at her and watch her plaster on a smile that was almost too sweet as she rose up to pass him, heading back into the kitchen. He had a feeling that he had just been insulted, he wasn't sure since she had smiled while she did it. 

"I'll be too busy crying about your rejection in the kitchen, so please lock the door on your way out. I don't want anyone to see me like this." She called out pissing him off further. 

"I don't understand what the hell your problem is. I just wanted to make sure you understood where we stood after last night." Gabe said from the doorway of the kitchen.

"Oh c'mon Gabriel," she said shutting the refrigerator door to stare at him comically. She knew her last comment was pushing it, but she couldn't help herself. "Did you forget that you're talking to me? Don't pretend that your skin doesn't itch to leave once the sun comes up. The only reason you stuck around today was out of respect for Dean. So you can save your self-righteous speech for someone that hasn't bore witness to your whoring ways."

The sane side of him knew he shouldn't push her, but that side wasn't ruling him right now, "Oh, my whoring ways? Is that why I had you squirming like a bitch in heat?" 

"Oh please," Sloane retorted rolling her eyes fighting the urge to smack the cocky look off his face, but knew that's exactly what he wanted her to do - piss her off, "You can't kiss that good." 

As she locked eyes with him, she watched his beautiful features change from anger to predatory. She would've shuddered if she wasn't too busy trying to stand her ground.

"Is that right?" Gabe said, his lips pulling back over his teeth to grin at her seductively, slowly approaching her, "Come over here and let's see."

What? Sloane's head snapped back so hard she almost gave herself whiplash, she sure as hell wasn't expecting that. Hadn't they just agreed that the kiss was a mistake and that it'd never happen again? She was starting to realize that maybe pushing Gabe was a bad idea, a very bad idea. She was playing with fire, but couldn't figure out why the thought of getting burned was turning her on so much.

"What? Nothing to say? Don't tell me you're afraid." Gabe provoked still moving closer to her. She didn't realize she was retreating away from him until she bumped into the counter.

"I'm not afraid of you." She gulped as he brought his arms down on each side of her locking her in, his blue eyes blazing down into hers.

"Liar." Gabe whispered. He was so close she could feel his breath on her lips as she looked up at him.

"This is insane..." she whispered his lips were so close, "...depraved..." she breathed , she knew she shouldn't but she couldn't pull herself back, "...crazy..."

"Satisfying." He finished as he closed the rest of the distance between them to claim her lips.

Gabe wasn't sure why he was kissing Sloane again, but could think of any reason why not. She kissed him back with a passion that he never knew she had, he never knew existed.

The man could kiss, she'd give him that. She pushed into his hard body feeling his desire for her press back against her belly. He licked around her full pouty lips. She sucked in a breath and let him take control of her mouth completely. He massaged his tongue against hers, drawing it out, and sucking on it. She ran her fingers through his short black hair, pulling his head down and pushing her tongue as far as she could into his mouth.

They both fought to control, to dominate the other. It was as if they were both trying to punish the other for trying to deny what they had between them. It was too late to try and call this a mistake.

He lifted her up, sitting her on the counter. He could feel her heat through the thin material of her shorts when she parted her legs to allow room for his body bringing his hardness against where he ached to bury it the most. 

She mindlessly grinded on him, kissing him. He slid his hands up the inside of her smooth thighs, stopping at the hem of her shorts. He pulled back searching her eyes for a sign that he should stop. All he saw was fire as he felt her hand on top of his bringing it to where they both wanted. Needed. 

Sloane gasped when Gabe massaged her slit through her shorts before pulling them aside to move his finger up and down her wet pussy. When she felt his finger slip into her heat, she threw her had back at the sudden pleasure. His finger felt so large inside of her. She leaned back, placing her hands on the counter behind her, as she watched Gabe pleasure her. She watched in a trance state, releasing short moans as she watched his finger move in and out of her. When he thumbed her clit, she squeezed her eyes closed, throwing her head back in ecstasy.

She was so wet. So hot. So tight. He wanted to spread her legs and thrust his aching cock into her, but he had the overwhelming desire to bring her to pleasure first. Her cries were turning into low moans and he knew she was getting close. He added another finger as he increased his pace. He continued to fuck her with his fingers, curving his fingers to hit her g-spot. She started panting and thrashing, moaning louder. He quickly used his other hand to take her shirt off, kissing his way down the column of her throat.

When he got to her breasts he ran his tongue across her nipple and she pulled his hair to keep him in place. He sucked the nipple into his mouth. Licking and gently sucking the turgid flesh before switching and giving the other the same treatment. When he gently rolled her nipple between his teeth, he felt her tense around his fingers before her hips came off the counter top as she came.

When she came back down to earth after her release, she blushed when she focused on Gabe watching her intently. She was surprised how much she still wanted, especially after her release. She felt wild and she wanted to please him. She wanted Gabe and she wanted him bad. She knew he would do his best to resist his desire for her so she knew she had to push him past the point of no return.

She felt him watching her as she took a hold of his hand, bringing it to her mouth. She jutted her tongue out tasting his fingers that were just in her, looking him in the eye as she took the fingers completely into her mouth. She licked his fingers so there was no mistake as to what she would rather be licking. She hummed in satisfaction when she heard him let out a strained breath. He pulled his hand away and wove it in her hair, pulling down so she was forced to look up at him.

Time suspended for what seemed like an eternity as the world around them fell away leaving just them and their eyes. His fierce and strong, hers fiery and beautiful.

"If we start this, I don't think I'll be able stop." Gabe said, it coming out more as a plea rather than the warning he had intended it to.

"I'm not planning on stopping you." Sloane said meeting his gaze as she reached down to unbutton his jeans.

When he felt her hand touch his cock, Gabe let out a hiss at the contrast. Her hand was cool against his hot flesh. He didn't mean for it to get so far out of control, but he couldn't stop it now. He could only try to control the repercussions. He let out a ragged breath when she started to lightly jerk him, squeezing him at the base of his cock, twisting as she pumped up and down his shaft. The pleasure was building too fast and when he felt her cup his balls, his control snapped. 

He grabbed her hand and placed it on his shoulders. Running his hand down her body, he parted her legs. Grabbing a hold of his cock, he ran it up and down her slit coating it in her juices before placing it at the entrance of her pussy. He saw the hesitant look in her eyes as he ran his hands up the outside of her thighs. He gripped mid way and pulled her onto him as he thrust his entire cock into her, ripping through the thin wall protecting her virginity. Her cry was drowned out by Gabe's loud moan.

Mine. He thought again, the same thought that had occurred when he kissed her last night.

By the time the stars dissipated from Gabe's eyes, he realized that he hadn't moved. Sloane's nails were still digging into his shoulders, her pussy squeezing his cock. He knew he was larger than normal, but she was tight, real tight. She had been so forward before that he figured...

"I'm sorry, babe...I didn't know...I'm sorry." He said between the encouraging kisses he placed on her temple, "I need to...we can stop if you want." Gabe said pulling out slightly.

"No..." She pleaded and grabbed his hips to stop his action, "Don't move. Just...make it feel...good." Sloane heard herself say through her teeth. He was so big inside of her, she didn't realize that it would hurt so much.

When he slid back in, they both let out a breath. He clenched his jaw as he tried to control his movements in and out of her tight, slick heat, fighting the desire to start slamming into her. He withdrew again a little more then pushed back in slowly, he repeated the slow, torturous motion until he felt Sloane start to move her hips experimentally meeting his thrust. He slowly pulled his cock almost entirely out of her feeling her warm slick walls clench around his hard cock almost begging him not to go. He felt the sweat bead on his forehead at the forced patience. He breathed out raggedly before taking her mouth in a punishing kiss. He slammed back in, bottoming out. They both broke the kiss and moaned in unison. He repeated the motion again testing his own willpower, searching her face for any hint of discomfort.

"Just fuck me already." Sloane said suddenly looking right at Gabe.

He looked at her and realized that he was gone. She was a vision of sex with tousled hair and lips swollen from kissing. He moved her to the edge of the counter, wrapped her legs around his waist and started slamming into her with frenzy. He was already close, he had been ever since the night before. The sound of slapping flesh filled the kitchen. Her breasts were bouncing up and down, taunting him. He took one into his mouth, sucking ferociously on the nipple while he started to piston in and out of her pussy. He felt her clamp down as she threw her head back, crying out his name with her release. Her spasming pussy around his cock was more than Gabe could handle. He thrusted twice before he found his own release, roaring her name as he shot his seed inside of her.

It seemed like eternity when Sloane realized that she should probably move. However, her body felt too lethargic and she couldn't trust that her knees wouldn't give out once she stood up. When she finally opened her eyes, she locked with Gabe's. Gabe opened his mouth to say something, but they both stilled when she heard the front door slam.

"Gabe! Bro, where you at?" she heard the voice call right outside the doorway. Gabe quickly buttoned his jeans, but it was too late for her to try and get dressed. She just buried her face in Gabe's shirt as he used his body to shield her nudity.

"I'll be right...out." Gabe started to say in hopes to delay the inevitable. He looked over his shoulder to see a very shocked Jude standing in the doorway, "Hi."

"Uh...hi. My apologies...I knocked but no one answered. The door was unlocked. I'll be in the car." Jude stuttered out before darting back behind the doorway. They heard his footsteps retreat before they heard the front door open then slam.

Jude's interruption served as a bucket of cold water to Sloane, bringing her back to Earth, "Please tell me that this is a nightmare and I am going to wake up," Sloane said her face still buried into his chest, "I can't believe two of Dean's best friends saw me naked."

"Nope, just me." Gabe grinned handing her shirt back to her. 

When she didn't meet his gaze, he realized that she had just switched back into defense mode. He felt a little disappointed as he turned to leave the kitchen.

"Listen, I'm not sure what to say right now. I mean this sort of thing is your thing." Sloane said redressing herself and following him towards the door. She groaned inwardly as she heard the words come out of her mouth, "That came out wrong."

"I know what you meant." Gabe said.

"Gabe...I-" Sloane said hesitantly.

"Uh, listen. I don't want you to think I'm running out, but Jude's waiting and if I don't get out soon he's going to be back in here dragging me out." Gabe said.

"Uh...yeah, of course. Right." Sloane responded awkwardly opening the front door for him.

"I'll call you later." Gabe said as he passed her.

"Yeah, okay." Sloane said before she closed the door.

As Gabe walked down the steps smiling, he missed the dejected look on Sloane's face as she closed the door. He thought of how horribly his plan from last night had failed, and was a little happy that it did. Sloane was full of surprises and he sure was shocked to find out she was a virgin. He had no idea that Sloane would be so responsive. He felt a strange feeling of pride knowing that he was her first, followed by a slight feeling of terror of what that would imply. He felt like an ass for leaving so abruptly, but the thought of commitment scared the shit out of him. He had never been a one woman kind of guy, or that's how it was until now. So when kissing Sloane felt a lot like coming home, he knew he should run like hell.

"Do you even know how incredibly stupid that was?" Jude said once he got into the car.

"I'm pretty sure I do." Gabe said solemnly, fighting the feeling that he was making a huge mistake.



Liar Ch. 03: The Kansas City Mission



This is the conclusion a three part story beginning with LIAR. The characters are the same (and a few new ones). Reading the first two stories would be helpful to know the characters more intimately - But you can probably read this story without having read the first two.

If you are looking for a story that moves quickly into erotic scenes, this might not be something you'd enjoy. While there are several erotic scenes, it completes the story line of Liar 1 & 2 and takes several pages of character development prior to turning erotic.

Thanks to my friend "Billie" who adds amazing confusion to my life.

Thanks to "Jessica" and the "Girls" who have made my mid life crisis so much fun.

Thanks to "acurmudgeon" who proofs for me and catches so many mistakes!!

Thanks to "Austin" for his unintended inspiration.

+++++++++++++++++++

LIAR 3: THE KANSAS CITY MISSION

FALL OUT

The stark light reflected upward into my eyes from the hard brush metal surface of the table. The pair of cold aluminum chairs across the table from me were vacant, casting a glare from the light as well. They matched the one upon which I was seated. Cheap, lightweight, aluminum chairs could do little damage if anyone attempted to use them as a weapon; so all the interrogation rooms were furnished with them. The table itself was bolted to the floor. They didn't even offer me the human dignity of a seat pad. 

The room was a bit cool, but that was intentional. Keeping the suspect "on ice" is more than just a catch phrase. The haze in the air didn't really exist. These rooms always felt a bit claustrophobic for me. The stark, tungsten lights hummed as they cast their glow creating long shadows.

I glanced up at the stark white glass screen on the side of the room I was facing and shot it a sarcastic smile. Unlike the old school, two way mirrors of prior generations, this glass could turn from solid white to clear glass at the flick of a switch. Hundreds of times I had been in these rooms. Hundreds of times I was on the other side of that glass; or at least on the other side of the table.


This time I was the suspect.

I would have preferred the mirrored glass. They were removed years ago since perps would use their reflected image to gauge their own expressions during interrogation. As a trained liar, I probably would do the same. Facial expressions are often the first tell. Being able to see yourself, a trained liar can adjust and adapt to the agent's questioning.

The door creaked open and echoed in the room from the cement floor and block walls as two people entered the room. A sleek 40ish woman in the unofficial uniform of all 40ish, female, FBI agents; dark jacket, dark slacks, light blouse, and shoes with a short heel. Even more than the outfit, I knew the type. She was self confident, direct, and walked in with that air of 'I'm taking the lead in questioning this one', with just an edge of 'I'll show the old boy's club that a woman can interrogate just as well as any man.' Female FBI agents often overcompensate in a male dominated profession.

Behind her followed a tall, well dressed, and very distinguished gentleman in his early 50s. He wore up to date glasses and the small bulge in his jacket told me that while his sidearm was stowed away somewhere else, the shoulder strap holster was still in place. 

Knowing the routine helped a bit. A very little bit. So I sat back and let it unfold, knowing I had no real choice in the matter. My nonchalant attitude was going to be my strategy of defense.

"Mr. Wright." The woman spoke first, looking down at her notes as she set her folder on the table in front of her.

"Please, Max." I replied causally.


She looked up from her notes and searched my eyes as she spoke again. "Max then. My name is Kate Berrian and this is Agent Cain. Max, we have a problem but I'm sure you understand that by now."

"Being invited by internal affairs to visit a level three interrogation room doesn't usually mean that it's a surprise birthday party." I shot back.

"Max, please." She gestured and glanced around the room, looking it over. "This," she spoke to the room and then spoke to me, "this is just a friendly discussion. It's also an available room where we can have a confidential chat." She said sweetly before both agents took their seats. The chairs sliding against the tile floor offered a mild tone of fingernails sliding on a blackboard.

"I know what friendly discussions lead to." I offered. I glanced at the white screen in front of me. 

Behind the white screen there's a typical contingent of between four and five. Two monitor the computer screens and recording systems. One or two primary investigators would be standing in front of the glass itself, observing and detailing any hints of fresh evidence. Then there was the possibility of one of the head honchos being present to oversee the operation. 

"Max. Max!" She drew my attention back from the screen and my mental searching for who I assumed may be behind the glass.

"Yes." I replied as my eyes retrained themselves on the questioner. I avoided carefully not looking down at my hands. Instead I leaned back in my chair and looked directly at my inquisitor. 

"We need to get a few things clarified from your reports. There are some questions we have related to your after action reports." Her eyes bored a hole through my skull as she tried to read me. So I fought back by using all of my training to avoid any tell.

"What questions could you have? Let me explain it again so that even someone who works for the government can understand it." I started with an irritated tone that softened as I went through it again. "I was tipped off that Jessica Quinn was being set up, so I looked into it. Ross did some digging. Then we discovered that Austin was involved. My own boss was involved in this mess." I started, trying to divert the discussion to Austin's failures. She didn't bite. She fumbled through my file scanning the details as if to ignore my explanation.

"And your current relationship with Jessica?" Berrian didn't even look up from her files as she asked. As the question left her lips she slid a digital text recorder onto the table and toward me. Great tactic. No confusion of a liar's look in the response. She wanted the words only, nothing more. The distraction of moving something into the subject's field of view naturally disrupts any rehearsed phrases, causing liars to slip off their game.

"Yeah, okay. You got me. Jessica and I are currently involved." I started.

No response. She didn't blink, but just started writing. The pregnant pause in the discussion seemed to last forever. All I could hear was the hum of the lights. 

"Yes. I know it was wrong. Yes, for the record she's living with me right now." I noticed my own nervousness in my words. Damn. How could I let a simple questioning shake me. Jessica did things to my brain that I just couldn't comprehend.

The hum continued. Cain glanced to Berrian as if to ask why she wasn't moving on. It was a possible indicator that Cain was the one really in charge and Berrian was just the agent asking the questions.

Then she started up again. "Max. We already know that Jessica is cohabiting with you. What you do in the privacy of your home isn't in question today." 

For a moment, I was confused. Cain, Berrian, and I all looked around to each other. I glanced at the white glass, then back to Berrian. "So what's this about then?"

"We have questions about the Kansas City Mission." She stated the intent calmly and with emphasized clarity.

If the mirror had been there, I'm sure I would have seen my own brow furrow and my confusion more evident than I could control. "The Kansas City Mission?" 

My mind raced as a flood hit. I was ready to accept problems related to having Jessica in my home. I was prepared to take the heat for targeting the wrong person in our investigation at One Gateway. I was even mentally ready to be fired. But the Kansas City Mission wasn't even in my sights.

Apparently Austin had used my utter screw up on that mission as a bargaining chip during his arrest and subsequent questioning. Now my chickens had come home to roost so to speak. 

I leaned back on my chair and folded my arms. "What are you talking about? You brought me down here to talk about an old mission?" I searched Cain's face, trying to read him. "We caught the bastard eventually, right?" I wanted to test them. I wanted to see just how much Austin had given up. Cain broke my eye contact by looking back to Berrian.

"You caught Young. Yes. But there was a failed portion of the operation could have cost us the entire case. You were at the heart of the screw up. I need to know if blowing your cover could have led to incorrect conclusions just like the incorrect conclusion you had at One Gateway. Was One Gateway a screw up similar to Kansas City? Are these kinds of failures typical with you? You investigated Jessica and reported to your supervisors, incorrectly, that she was the key to the One Gateway trafficking ring. It almost lead to an embarrassing result should it have gone to trial. Her lawyers, Adam Quinn's lawyers, would have eaten us for lunch."


"Okay." I took a deep breath and closed my eyes. "What do you want to know?"

"Just start at the beginning. Tell us what happened in Kansas City." She said. She leaned back and held her pen in hand waiting for me to reveal the greatest failure of my career. "Let's throw out the report was obviously redacted and you tell me what really happened."

She leaned back in her chair, folded her arms and gave me the coldest, most vacant stare I can ever remember.

EANST & YOUNG GLOBAL LIMITED

The double mahogany doors parted automatically as we approached. The young intern who led me to the offices of Avery Young was petite, pleasant and talkative. She had choked down one too many happy pills that morning and bubbled the entire elevator ride to the 41st floor.

I'm sure to some her chatter would be annoying. But to me it was both humorous and delightful. Her ponytail bobbed back and forth as she flittered from one topic to another, making small talk to avoid the awkward silence. They had chosen well. She was perfect for this task. She was a smoking hot little thing in a tight, albeit far too short for business attire, skirt. 

"Mr. Young will be in, in just a moment. You can wait here for him. Please have a seat." She motioned to one of the large leather chairs facing the desk. "I've got to head back to the lobby. If you need anything, please let me know."

"I sure will." I replied. "Cassie. Right?"

"You got it." The young woman said as she proudly displayed her gold name tag on her lapel.

"Thanks hon. I'll be fine." I replied, sinking back into the luxury of the leather chair. Most offices provide a stiff, uncomfortable guest chair with the hopeful intent that you won't stay long. This office wanted you to feel like you were at home. The chair had a 'sit back, have a drink, tell me all about it' feel to it. 

As Cassie headed out; I had to do it. I leaned over sideways and watched her cute little ass wiggle out of the room trapped in the short, tight skirt. 'Damn, does your mommy know you go out like that?' I thought to myself.

Moment's later, Avery Young entered. "Mr. Martin. Good to meet you. Welcome to Kansas City." He moved directly to me, offering his hand as I stood to greet him. Young was a bit misleading as a name. Avery was in his mid to late sixties, distinguished, and clearly well mannered. Pretty much what I expected for someone in his position.


"Please, call me Andrew." I said as I shook his hand. Rather than return to his formal office chair behind his desk, he warmly took the leather chair next to me. He leaned in to have a private conversation with me as if we were in a crowded restaurant. His mildly British accent seemed to slip as he sat down to continue.

"Andrew, we're glad to have you here albeit a bit surprised by the timing of this whole affair." He began.

"Well, Mr. Young, ..."

"Please, Avery is fine." He interrupted. "Let's drop the formalities and if you could, just tell me what it is that London needs."

"Avery. I'm just on an exploratory mission. The head office just wants to do a bit of bean counting to assure that the American office is still on board. Recent upstarts like BDO and Crowe-Horwath are chipping away at our market share. Being one of the 'Big Four' is becoming tougher as the days go by." I settled back in my chair trying to take on the role of the headquarters consultant.

"Andrew, your accent. You're not from our head office I would assume." He inquired by his tone.

"You're correct. University of Pennsylvania myself. American born and bred." I offered without remorse.

"Ah, Wharton School of Business. So London is using an American to look into us." He replied.

Just then the door opened and a secretary moved toward his chair. "Would you like tea? Or being a true American, how about a black coffee?" Avery inquired.

"That would be wonderful. Coffee, black, no sugar, would be good." I replied to him.

"Make that two my dear." Avery directed to his secretary. She promptly left without a word."

"Avery, let's not say they've sent me to 'look into the Kansas City office'. While it's an unscheduled review, we're not looking into any abnormality that has been identified in your office per se . Just a friendly walk through for the sake of open communications with London." I stated, trying to redirect his fears.

"Well then. We shan't have any problems with your presence here for a few weeks."

After a few moments of discussing the need for a temporary office and access to files that had been identified by London as 'obscure enough to not draw suspicions yet important enough to gain access', Avery's secretary returned.

"Here we are Mr. Young." She set a tray down on the edge of his desk between the two leather chairs. She took one cup and saucer of hot coffee, then turned to hand it to me.

"Thank you Patrice." I offered casually.

The secretary hesitated after handing me the coffee and grinned.

"You've done your homework Andrew. Unfortunately you're over a week late." Avery interjected.

"I'm sorry Mr. Martin, but my name is Brenda. Brenda Woodruff." She offered.

"Patrice is on maternity leave right now. Brenda has only been with us for a couple of weeks as a short term replacement." Avery explained, reaching up to the tray and procuring his coffee.


I already knew it. The woman standing beside Mr. Young was Billie. She had been planted in the company two weeks earlier to begin this operation and was already offering us intel. My arrival in Kansas City today was staggered from her arrival to avoid suspicion. 

"Will there be anything else, Mr. Young." 'Brenda' asked. 

"Thank you Brenda. That's all for right now." He said as he took a sip of his coffee.

"My apologies Ms. Woodruff. I had several email contacts with Patrice prior to my arrival. I wasn't aware that she would not be here." I replied.

"She assumed she would still be here. Minor complications with her pregnancy caused her to begin maternity leave early." 'Brenda' explained. "If there is anything I can do for you, please feel free to contact me. Thank you gentlemen." Then Billie turned and left the room. 

As she walked out I noticed the dress she was wearing. Billie didn't wear dresses. As an FBI field agent, she was more comfortable in the men's tailored slacks and jacket that covered her standard issued Glock. I grinned to myself internally about how I was gonna give her a hard time about her dress next time we met. But for a moment the thought of how great her ass looked in a dress slipped past my frontal lobe. What surprised me the most was the way Billie walked out. I knew she had a unique swagger to the way she walked but damn; in a dress it was so hot. Gotta shake that thought.

It's no secret that I had a real thing for Billie. She knew it. She used it against me from time to time. Hell, I wanted to believe that she had a thing for me too. We sure flirted with each other enough. Everything was always professional between us on the job even with the occasional flirtations.

"Andrew. Andrew?" Avery called my attention away from Billie's great ass and back to reality. "What aspect of our operation is the primary focus of your interests?" Avery drew me back to the issue at hand.

"Well, for the sake of glasnost, let's just cut the shit and get to the heart of it Avery." I turned my eyes to his as I put the coffee cup back on the saucer.

Instantly I could see that I had opened a door of communication that Avery and his ilk could appreciate. No Bull. No sidestepping. No phony, baloney, smoke up the ass. Just the facts.

It seems to me that there are two kinds of business men. Those who love to beat around the bush and play the semantic game of cat and mouse. But others aren't much for games. They want the cut and dry facts with no flourish. Young was the latter. I could see that I had read him correctly.

Avery nodded approval. I walked through the door. "There is concern by a handful of the board of directors that our merger acquisition with Northern, Pensky, and Hollister has an egregious conflict of interest. I've got no dog in the race. But the way this thing plays out Pensky is going to make a killing from this merger and Hollister is going to be left holding the debt." I had Young's attention. 

I took a sip of the coffee and continued laying out my case. "Hollister could take away share to start another company, taking our best clients from the merger with him. If we do a strip and rip his share is barely enough to buy a cup of coffee at Starbucks. Better to work with him and sweeten his deal than to leave him dry." 

"I've wondered about it. But he signed the prelim documents and has agreed to the terms." Avery replied.


"That's the part that doesn't make sense. Why? Why would he give away the farm, knowing the potential value of his share is far greater than what he's getting? Also his recent stock moves don't make sense."

I leaned forward as if to share a secret with Young that he didn't know. But of course he did know. I was just letting him know that I knew. "I'm not here for a simple review of general operations. I'm here to find out what Hollister is thinking and the ramifications. So, it has nothing to do with you or the Kansas City office. You cooperate with me and you'll come out of this thing looking like a royal, loyal, fuckin hero to the board of trustees. Especially if the deal Hollister has agreed to is without any conflicts that might derail the process."

Avery approved by his reactions. "Then, my good man, my office is your office."

REPORT

The hotel room on the 19th floor of the downtown Marriott was just a block from Ernst & Young Global Limited. It looked like every other inner city hotel I'd endured through the years. The typical burgundy or moss green carpet schemes lined the hallways as I trudged to my room. I couldn't tell you the color scheme of this one since they all look alike to me anyway. Either that or I just didn't care enough to remember. I pushed my hotel room door open, the key card in my mouth as I shoved my way through.

My hands were filled with bags from Cosentino's, a diner / deli just a half block away. I over-purchased food not knowing how much and what I wanted ... or needed that night. 

I shoved aside the useless clutter of tent card advertising on the desktop before setting the bags down; then went into the bathroom to wash up. There was a knock at my door as I stood at the toilet, relieving myself from the day's coffee meetings. It was the door connecting my room to the room next to mine.

"Give me a second." I shouted before shaking off the last drop.




Liar Ch. 03: The Kansas City Mission



After a quick pass at the sink to wash my hands I stepped to the hallway of my suite and opened the pass through door. The sound of the toilet refilling could still be heard as Billie barged her way in.

"Damn that old bastard is a shithead." She barked dragging her briefcase as she entered. 

Billie had already changed into a black pair of yoga pants and an old sweatshirt she had worn on many occasions. Mostly at the gym. From the whiff I got as she passed by, she hadn't even had the decency to wash that shirt after her last few trips to the gym.

"God Billie, settle down." I said, stepping out of her way as she barged into the room. I have to admit that as she passed, I was admiring the look of her hips in yoga pants.

"YOU settled down. YOU didn't have that creepy old bastard groping you all day." She shouted back. "I'll have to burn that dress. The thought of his hands grabbing my ass would just fuckin' bring back too many nightmares to actually wear it again."

I nearly laughed out loud at the thought that she was being molested by the old guy in his office. "From the look of his chairs in his office, he's into leather." I mocked. "He really tried a quick grope?"

"Laugh it up furball. Next time YOU go in as the secretary and I go in as the consultant." She threw her briefcase on the kingsize bed and began pulling out files that covered her laptop.

"Won't happen." I mocked. "I don't have the legs for it." 

"Damn straight. I've see your skinny-ass, old legs."

She shoved the food aside on the desk and opened her laptop to show me a program already running. Data streamed across the screen and a panel to the right showed a list of numbers and names. "While the old shit was taking a shit, I cloned his cell phone. We can watch in real time what he's doing and who he's talking to. Text messages will come up here." She pointed to another panel that popped open on her click.

She leaned sideways and looked at the bags. "Meatloaf?" she inquired as her demeanor changed.

"Yep." I stepped to the side and started pulling out styrofoam clamshell boxes of dinner.

"Max. You do love me." She fawned as she stood up to peer down into the bags of food.

I moved one of her file folders to the bed as she dug into the diner's Monday night special. "What's this stuff in the dark green folders? It's from the Clarksburg office." I asked fanning through a file that was marked differently than the rest.

"Don't worry about it. That's another project. Austin wants me to select a rookie to bring on within the next six months. Those are the final candidates that will be finishing at Quantico this spring." Billie explained. 

"A rookie?" I wasn't sure if I liked the idea. Usually rookies went to some of the teams that are handed smaller ops; protection details, research teams, and extras during a covert tail. Not an infiltration team. But Austin must have his reasons I figured.

"So what did you get from today?" Billie asked through her first mouth full of meatloaf covered in brown gravy.

"Not too much. Just saw the lay of the land. It is just day one." I said, while opening up a foam box full of sliced turkey and mashed potatoes. After ripping open the packet of plasticware, I sat back down on the edge of the bed next to the desk chair she was using.

Billie leaned forward to see what was in my box. Without asking she reached her plastic fork over and took a swipe at the potatoes. We had that kind of relationship.

"Crook." I mumbled while stabbing at my turkey.

"Cop." She smiled before stuffing her mouth with the potatoes. She swallowed with exaggerated movements to taunt me.

I reached over and squeezed her face causing her lips to pucker. With a pretty firm grip I shook her face, causing her to swallow again and try to pull away playfully.

"Not gonna give it back then? You're gonna have to pay for eating my dinner." I said in a phony, demanding voice.

She smiled and leaned toward me. "How's this for payment." She reached over and grabbed the back of my head. Pulling me to her we kissed.

+++

"Wait! You're telling me that you and Billie were in a relationship prior to the Kansas City Mission?" Agent Berrian interjected, breaking me out of my semi-trance state of story telling.

"Yes. At that time we had been spending time together not only on the job but after hours for nearly a year." I said dryly.

"You told us earlier that you had a thing for her. Now you're saying you had already crossed that line?" She asked in amazement.

"What I said was that I had a thing for her. Probably a more serious thing than just sex. It was beyond just one night stands or a moment of insanity. By the time we were assigned the Kansas City op, I had a real thing for her." I offered dryly.

"Need I remind you of the ban against agents fraternizing, Agent Wright?" She stated firmly.

"Need I remind you that the Agency put us together as a married couple during the Bradford Kidnapping case? We lived together as a married couple for nearly six weeks during that operation. It was a one bedroom condo, paid for by the Agency. Just what the hell did you think it would lead to?" I stated just as firmly.

"You're blaming the Agency for an inappropriate relationship that may have caused the Kansas City Mission to come close to failure?"

"The Kansas City Mission experienced a flaw. But it was far from a failure." I stated pounding my fist on the metal table in front of me. "We got the son of a bitch in spite of a slip up."

"A 'flaw' isn't the word for it. You blew your cover." Berrian reminded.

"Even with my cover blown, we still performed our duty. We got the job done. We not only uncovered criminal activity, we stopped a bastard too." I corrected.

"We'll agree to disagree on that point Agent Wright." She said sternly. "For now, continue."

I drifted off for a moment. All I could think about was that night in Kansas City.

+++

The taste of mashed potatoes on her lips was salty with a mild taste of the gravy as I kissed her back. I was leaning forward from my seat on the edge of the bed. Billie rolled the desk chair she was sitting in, toward me. Our kiss never parted.

My hand slid through her short, dark hair. She always kept her hair extremely short; almost razor cut in the back. The soft prickly hair passed through my fingers as I drew her in. I enjoyed playing with her hair as we kissed. 

As our kiss paused I nuzzled in along the side of her neck. She responded by offering her neck to me; tilting her head to receive me. I breathed in the odd mix of her perfume from a formal day at work and the rugged scent of the gym shirt that reminded me she was still a Federal Agent.

Billie kissed me once more before taking both styrofoam boxes. She pivoted on her desk chair and put them next to the laptop that was running the trace.

The moment she turned back toward me, I couldn't help myself. I reached around and pulled her whole body to me. Billie climbed up onto me, putting her knees to either side of my hips as she drew me into her. Kissing was her thing. She loved being touched, caressed and kissed. I couldn't resist kissing her. 

Sitting on my lap, I could feel her warmth all but surrounding me. As we kissed I could feel her running her fingers through my hair. It caused a chill to run up my spine.

Opening my eyes for a moment I could see that her eyes were open; as always. She never closed her eyes as we kissed. There was a part of me that could be totally intimidated by it. Like she was searching for something, some answer I wasn't offering. She loved to dissect my every thought and word. But it went far deeper. Billie could look past my facade of false personalities and legends to see into my soul. She knew how to sift through the complexity of my lies and drill past, straight into my realities. She knew more about me than I knew about myself.

I gazed back at her as I kissed her. The warmth of her full lips on mine; her tongue in my mouth brought relief. The weeks of separation for our job hadn't put out the fire of what we knew was inside us.

As we kissed, I slid my hands down to the hem of her sweatshirt. I started tugging it off, parting our kiss only long enough for the shirt to pass over her head. Throwing her sweatshirt aside, I leaned back in to continue kissing her when I realized she wasn't wearing anything under the sweatshirt. 

Her bare breasts pressed against my chest as she tucked her arms under mine and embraced me to continue our kissing. I could feel the breath of her exhale as if a wave of satisfaction had fallen on her.

I gripped the side of her head, letting my thumb caress her cheek as I kissed her. I knew she enjoyed that. Hell, I enjoyed it. The softness of her cheeks against my thumb overloaded my senses. When I was in Billie's arms I could be totally revealed. For someone who is always living undercover, living a legend's storyline and not his own, that feeling was both terrifying and freeing. 

Billie lifted up on her knees slightly, leaning forward. She caused me to drop back onto the bed. Riding the cascade of my fall, she melted over top of me. I could feel my arousal taking control, pressed under the weight of her body sitting on my hips. She knew it too. I could feel her hips reflexively shift as she pleasured herself against the bulge in my suit pants.

Shamelessly she rocked her hips, grinding herself against the ridge of my bulge to pleasure herself. She shifted to find the sweet spot, aligning her yoga pants clad hips. Pressing into me she nearly crushed my manhood with her pelvic bridge. And she smiled wickedly as she did it.

"It feels like forever." Billie whispered as she started unbuttoning my dress shirt. 

I raised my arm up and tucked it behind my head as a pillow. "Two weeks seemed like it would go on forever." I responded.

Tugging my shirt open she pulled my shirt tails out of my pants before sitting up completely on my hips and unbuckling my belt. The mischievous grin on her lips spoke volumes. Working my belt buckle her focus was intense. Her front teeth bit at her lower lip as she tugged at the leather belt, pulling it through the buckle.

She grimaced for a moment as she unzipped my pants. "God, Max. You're wet already. You must be glad to see me." 

I glanced down at my pants in confusion. "I think wetness came from you." I mocked. "Looks like this suit is headed to the dry cleaners."

"Along with the dress I wore today. God, the thought of that man's hands on me ..." She cringed for effect.

"Shush. Worry about him later." I said, gripping her shoulders and pulling her back down to kiss me.

My bare chest felt the warmth of her breasts, full and weighty against my body. I loved her warmth of her against me. The sense of peacefulness that came from her presence. It wasn't just the sex. It was the presence. Hell, yes I enjoyed the sex. But Billie seemed to understand my bizarre realities like no one else in my life. She knew things about me that I kept from the rest of the world. Knowing my frail and broken mental state, she still wanted to be with me. 

She crept backward down my torso. Her full breasts slid against my skin as she went. Within moments, I felt her probing and tugging. My pants were being pulled down the sides of my hips. I rocked my body on the bed, accommodating her as she released me from the cloth.

A brief chill struck my skin. The room was too cool for my liking, but I hadn't touched the thermostat knowing she would be visiting. She loved to sleep in a frightfully cool room and shower with water hot enough to scald skin.

Billie stood up at the edge of the bed and pulled my pant legs off each leg. She grinned as she wadded my pants up in a ball and tossed them aside. "They're going to the cleaners anyway" she stated comically as she saw my expression. Then she shot me that smile that gets me every time. It's a wry, spirited smile that invites me to join in the fun with her.

The sight of her standing there in tights, topless, between my legs that were drifting off the foot of the bed, brought an added rush of adrenaline to my cock. I no longer cared about how cold the room was. She seemed to approve. While I was looking at her lovely body in the glow of a desk lamp and a laptop, she was hungrily looking at my cock. A brief moment later she was devouring that cock with my full approval. But first, she made intimate show of slowly tugging her yoga pants off, leaving her standing naked before me.

She crept over me, kneeling between my legs when she took me in the first time. Her breasts swung freely and I could feel them rub against my inner thigh. She intentionally rocked her torso, letting me know she fully intended to inspire me with feeling her girls against my legs.

The warmth of her mouth on my cock felt wonderful. Yet as she released me with each stroke of her mouth, the cool shock of air that struck the wet warmth of my cock was invigorating. I swear that my eyes rolled back in my scull as she worked my manhood. 

She took my cock back into her mouth with broad strokes, lavishing it with her tongue. After a few pleasantries of warm, gentle strokes she became quite serious. Seemingly energized beyond the exhaustion of the long day, she devoured my cock in deep throating, forceful strokes; taking me in to the hilt. 

I gasped at the sudden flurry of deep thrusts that drew me out of a relaxed and sensual arousal to a fully attentive erection that couldn't wait to break loose. She arched her back and lifted her body, hovering over my manhood, taking pleasure as she owned my cock.

Coming up for air, she playfully slid her fingers across my engorged cock, now wet from her mouth. She played with a drip of saliva that ran down the side. She studied my erection before sliding one finger along the bloated vein that begged for release. Sliding a wet thumb around the crown of my head she swiped across the tip with her tongue causing me to involuntarily exhale.

"You like that, don't you." She toyed.

I didn't respond. I couldn't at the moment. My speech would have been stuttered at the attempt. I started to move forward, reaching up to her. But she had other plans.

"Not so fast. You kinda were a little bossy and needy last time. This time we're not doing anything until I'm satisfied." She paused for effect, looking me straight in the eye just like she did each time we kissed. "TOTALLY satisfied." she finished. 

The wicked grin on her face was all I needed. I had no intent on disappointing her. So I relaxed back into the comfort of the bed and let her have her way with me. 

During our years of working together or in our months of sleeping together; she realized that I completely respected women who know what they want. I have even more respect for women who know what they want and then go after it. Knowing what she wanted, telling me straight up what she wanted, then going after it was an erotic trifecta for me.

It's not bossy women that turn me on. Most bitchy women like that demand what they want out of their own insecurities. I fall for women who were so self confident of what they want, that they have no issue with coming right out and saying it.

Billie crawled up over me and straddled my face. The movement wasn't bitchy. She wasn't demanding that I pleasure her like a dominatrix. Dominants generally are people with deep insecurities. She climbed up over my face as if to say, 'this is what I want.' 

I was happy to oblige. And yes, the dampness issue was 'on her'. She faced the headboard, gripping it in her hands as she gently lowered herself to my mouth. 

She was kneeling with my head between her knees. Her shins pressed against my arms, all but pinning me down to the bed. I caressed her thighs with my hands as if to invite her to continue. She shifted her hips in anticipation as her labia made first contact with my mouth. 

I could feel her thighs straining as her body arched to position her warm center along my lips. Pressing my tongue firmly forward, I penetrated her labia as the first taste of her passion struck my mouth.

Her breathing was a bit erratic at first as she shifted forward on her knees, then slightly to one side to find perfect alignment. I couldn't see her expression at this angle, but I sensed she was smiling as she found the perfect spot.

Once it was found, she didn't let go. Billie didn't rock simply forward and backward as most women I had experienced. She rotated her hips in a gentle, circular motion causing the wetness of her folds to cover my mouth and chin.

I pressed my tongue out as far as I could extend it as she encircled it with her flesh. I didn't need to move my tongue or mouth; she was doing all the work for me. Occasionally she would pause the movements of her hips and exhale as gentle waves of orgasm passed through her body. Billie often had several, mild orgasms before being completely fulfilled. 

She wasn't satisfied with the gentle waves. She wanted to ride the big wave tonight. Her angst tonight as she arrived at the hotel, the weeks we had been apart, her emotions and senses all were in need of something more satisfying. 

She ran fingers through my hair reassuring me, caressing my head before gripping the top of my head and pulling me into her. The soft, manicured muff above her clit pressed along my nose with each circular motion. I was breathing her in as my tongue pleasured her. The musty scent of her was driving me wild with anticipation.

My hands cupped her ass, experiencing the circular movement of her hips as she used my face to pleasure herself. I could feel the muscles in her legs and ass flexing, creating the movement above me. Such a sensual experience to hold a woman's hips and ass in your hands as she moves through mild waves of orgasm.

I could feel the muscles of her thighs clench occasionally as the waves of pleasure intensified with each pass. But suddenly her muscles vibrated with stammering inconstancy as the climax she had worked for finally arrived. 

Gripping the top of my head I could feel her legs slide slightly outward, letting her hips drop more deeply into my face. She groaned with a deep guttural moan of pleasure that caught me off guard at first. But I quickly realized she was experiencing the emotional and sexual release of orgasm.

"OH God, Max" She moaned riding through the experience. Then a second shockwave hit her causing her moan to become a clenched squeal. The second shockwave caused a fresh dampness to cover her labia and wet my lips. Billie wasn't a squirter by any means. But a strong orgasm cause a rush of wetness that was undeniable.

While I was savoring the taste of her she climbed off and fell to one side. "God Max, I still feel it." She whispered. 

She rolled over and raised her ass in the air in an unrestrained desire. "Take me while I'm still feeling it. Please Max." She groaned. 

Waiting for a second invitation like that was never a strong point in my history. I unabashedly climbed behind her. The sight of her bare back stretching out in front of me, her raised ass waiting to be taken and her hands outstretched gripping the sheets was invigorating. But the fact that even her toes were curled in anticipation was exceedingly inspiring.

I gripped my cock long enough to give direction as I slid my head through the folds of her labia. Using my other hand I gripped her hip and pulled her back to me. I knelt behind her and she willingly pressed her hips back toward me, causing them to spread open and receive my cock.

As the wet warmth of her body surrounded me I clenched my teeth with eagerness. I massaged her back and spine with my hands as I thrust into her the first time. Preparing for a second thrust I ran my thumbs along either side of the length of her spine. I could feel her torso muscles tense as she stretched her body. 




Liar Ch. 03: The Kansas City Mission



My thrusts intensified as I gripped her ass in my hands. Spreading her open, I watched as my cock repeatedly disappeared into her body. I could see her pert anus rise and pucker as her body accepted each thrust. God how I wished I could stop and lick at her labia and anus. But it was too late. I was far to aroused to stop.

My pace quickened and each thrust brought new sensations of pleasure that rolled across my flesh. I reached forward and grabbed her shoulders, pulling her whole body to me as I took one hard, final thrust.

My eyes glazed over as I demandingly held her in place. My cock erupted inside her, each soul cleansing spasm causing an exhilaration of pleasure to strike at my heart. I could feel the warmth of my cum inside her now surrounding my cock.

Spent and exhausted I collapsed forward onto her, causing us both to melt forward into a puddle of eviscerated flesh on the bed. 

++++

"Max!" Berrian snapped me out of my thoughts of Billie.

"Yeah." I replied.

"You need to tell us what happened. Billie came in with the computer and phone tracking system. You had something to eat. Then you kissed her. What happened after that?" Berrian probed.

"What do you think happened? She spent the night in my room." I looked Berrian in the eye, trying not to flinch.

"You're infuriating, you know that right?" Berrian said before pressing her lips into a straight line.

"Look, I'm just being honest. That's what you want. Right?"


"Move it along." She pressed.

TRACKING YOUNG

Billie was up a couple of times during the night. It seemed like it was an every night issue because every night we spent together she followed the same pattern. A fall years earlier during an operation left her with chronic back problems that kept her from sleeping comfortably. She would get up in the middle of the night and take a long, hot shower to alleviate the pain. It seemed to give her some relief from the stress.

She didn't complain much. She wasn't the complaining type, so she bottled it up and held on to it. But I knew how much it bothered her. That night as she stood in the shower running the hottest water she could stand across her back, I gazed at the ceiling feeling a bit helpless; unable to comfort her. There's nothing as frustrating as watching a friend go through something knowing you're powerless to give aid.

When she finished drying off and slipped back into bed, I acted like I was asleep. She was a proud woman who didn't want my sympathy. So I didn't give in to my desire to try and 'fix things' for her. 

The feeling of her warm, naked body sliding up next to me was calming. Within moments she had burrowed in along side me with my arm around her as she used my chest for a pillow. Moments later I felt the tension leave her body, she relaxed as she fell asleep in my arms. It was a peaceful and extremely satisfying moment. Even more satisfying than the moment of climax I had experienced hours earlier.

Her breathing fell into the steady rhythm of sleep. Each breath pushed across my chest causing my nipple to send a rhythmic jolt through my body. I will never forget the comfortable warmth I felt for her in that moment in the pre-dawn hours of that hotel room.

My brain clock went off at 5:30 AM as always. Billie had rolled over in her sleep and was now facing away from me and I had one of my arms draped over her waist. I drifted backward and let the grogginess of my half awake mind clear a bit before sitting up.

Sliding out to the edge of the kingsize bed I rubbed my eyes and tried to force myself to clarity. My morning wood was painfully obvious; pressing upward at the sheets that surrounded my lap. It was more about the fact that I had to pee than being aroused. But it didn't help that we had slept in the nude. The sensation of her warmth next to me and the coolness of the room caused my wood to be a pleasurable sensation.

I glanced back at Billie. My movement caused the sheets to tug aside leaving her back exposed. The lovely shape of her shoulders, the curve of her hips and her cute little ass forced me to pause my morning routine. I sat gazing at her loveliness.  

She must have noticed that I was up but not moving. "Something wrong?" She whispered.

"No. Just taking in the view." I muttered.

She quickly pulled at the sheets and tugged them back down over her ass to avoid exposure. 

"Hey, don't pull the drapes when I'm looking at the scenery." I chided.

She rolled onto her back, enveloping her body with the sheets then pulled the top sheet up to cover her breasts. "You don't need to be doing that."

Billie could be both erotically spontaneous and self deprecating about her body. She had no cause to be embarrassed. She was more beautiful than she ever gave herself credit for. We had long since accepted the fact that we both were getting older. Adulthood had ravished it's typical damage. But she was still a very beautiful woman; even if she wouldn't accept that thought. "Get over it. I enjoy looking at you." I insisted.

"The landscape is getting old." She muttered.

"Hey, neither of us is getting any younger." I reminded her.

The lull of her response spoke as clearly as a memorized speech. It's unspoken issue among field agents. The vast majority of us have screwed up marriages or no real, committed relationships at all. We work insane hours and we're never home. The result is that most of us end up approaching mid-life, realizing we're alone. Neither of us wanted to be alone. But that's about where we found ourselves.

I guess that's why we hooked up in the first place. We could enjoy the connection with another human being; the warmth of another's touch. We could have each other briefly and still live in our separate, self-destructive worlds. No regrets, no strings attached. Even so, I recently had found myself desiring at least a few strings.

I shuffled off to the shower and turned the water on, letting it warm up. Then I stood at the toilet relieving myself in a long and satisfying morning pee that also relaxed my wood a bit. By then, the steam was building up. As I stepped into the shower I saw her slip through the pass through door to her room. The sound of coffee being prepared could be heard past the roar of the shower.

Moments later as I was running a final rinse off, she shoved a cup of coffee through the folds of the shower curtain. The only thing worse than hotel room coffee is no coffee. So I took the cup.

She parted the curtains and joined me in the shower. I traded places with her and stepped to the back of the shower, letting her move into the flow of water. The movement was fluid since we had showered together several times before. And on cue, she reached down to turn the water to a much hotter setting. 

"Thought you got your shower already today." I said after taking a long sip of the hotel slurry they utterly misrepresented to be coffee. Such misrepresentation in a civilized world should be grounds for a law suit.

"I did. I'm just getting a quick rinse off." She said, passing again under the water. Water cascaded down her face, across her chest and formed a stream that leapt to the floor from her left breast. She wiped her face with her cupped hands, letting water pool before splashing her face with it. "I thought you slept through it." 

I set the cup on a ledge and turned to her. Massaging her shoulders as the hot water cascaded down her back. She moaned with approval. So I firmly massaged at the very spots I knew caused her daily pain. The unspoken response was that I knew she had showered in the night; and I knew why. 

"Hey, bubba. We gotta go to work today." She said softly. It was almost unheard through the sound of the rushing water.

"Yeah. I know." I replied. I was a bit confused by her comment.

"You might want to tell that poker of yours that we have to go to work." She snidely commented.

Only then did I realize that the remnant of my morning wood was pressing against her ass. "Sorry. Don't worry. He's pretty harmless at this hour."

I gave her one last firm massage of her upper back, at the site of her injury, before slapping her ass and getting out of the shower. While I was drying off, I could hear something beeping in the bedroom.

Investigating the source of the noise, I saw the laptop blinking; begging for our attention. Young had sent several text messages, a phone call, and received a call, all in the past few moments. The location of the blinking light on the GPS map didn't make much sense to me. "Billie. You need to see this." I shouted.

A few moments later Billie stood over me naked, briskly drying her hair with a towel. She peered down at the screen trying to make sense of the data. She reached across the desk in front of me to grab her reading glasses. Her breasts hung heavy as they swung freely in front of me, urging me to reach out and enjoy them. But the greater urgency was that of being an investigator first. That doesn't mean I couldn't enjoy watching the girls swing by. 

The cell numbers connected to Young's phone posted on the sidebar as a blinking spot on the map indicated Young's location. 

For some reason he was stationary in a housing neighborhood just outside Overland Park, Kansas. Billie quickly yanked out her moleskin hardback pocket notebook. Flipping quickly through a few dozen pages and scanning them intently, she eventually shoved the notebook down in front of me on the desk. 

The scribbled notes were in a handwriting only she could interpret. But I caught enough content in the scribble to be aware of what she was trying to indicate. She pointed to a name. The number belonged to Patrice May Jamison, Young's very pregnant secretary.

"Why would Young be at Patrice's home at 6:30 in the morning?" I asked rhetorically. 

"Looks like we have something to investigate." She said.

"I have something to investigate. You get to go back to the office." I replied.

"No chance you're up for trading assignments?" She chided.

I knew how much it drove her crazy that female agents regularly got the raw end of the deal. But the serendipitous outcome was often better since Billie knew how to blend into an office environment and uncover subtle truths we needed to unlock cases.

"I'd love to babe, but your girls will get more info out of Young than mine." I squeezed my chest together and mockingly tried to create cleavage.

"Shithead." She grumbled, smacking me on the back of the head.

"I love you too rosebud." I offered in response.

"Just don't miss that 10 am meeting with Young." She reminded.

I pulled into the neighborhood and realized that I had entered suburban hell. Rows of condos that mirrored either side of the street were littered with children playing and soccer mom's walking dogs in running suits. I quickly discovered why there were so many Volvo and BMW dealerships in the area. Every home had a trophy car in the driveway.

Yet one car stood out. While BMers are within reach of the suburban crowd, a Bentley isn't. The silver gray sedan was parked in front of a pleasant if not plastic looking single family structure. Checking the laptop's map for exact location, I was pretty confident I had found Young. So I parked across the street and a half block away. 

"Billie. What kind of car does Young drive?" I voiced into the voice-to-text function of my cell. Before the text could be sent, I saw Young stepping down the steps and heading for the sedan.

"Never mind. Got him." I voiced in follow up.

His car pulled away. I sat for a moment deciding if I was going to talk with Patrice or if I was going to follow Young. Then I pulled out of my parking spot and drove. I pulled in front of the house Young had left and parked where he had parked. 

Knocking on the door went without response at first. But a moment later Patrice opened the door. Yes. Patrice was every bit of 13 months pregnant. It was no wonder that she had taken early leave. Part of me feared interviewing her lest her water break on the spot.

"Good Morning, Patrice." I smiled as I spoke, trying to reassure her suspicious looks. "I'm Andrew Martin. We spoke by email several times last month preparing for a review taking place at the office."

"Mr. Martin." The look on her face went from the confusion of wondering who was knocking on the door at this hour, to recognizing who I was, then back to wondering why I was at her home at this hour. "Yes. Is there something I can do for you? Did I forget to leave something for the temp?" 

She seemed a bit freer by knowing who I was. Yet she was a bit put off that I was at her home for some reason.

"No, but I think we need to talk."

Billie placed a cup of black coffee on Young's desk at his favorite spot. She glanced around the desktop trying to glean any information possible as she passed by. Just then Young entered the room.

"You're later than normal today. I just brought fresh coffee. It's on your desk." Billie stated as he entered.

"I had a quick errand to run this morning. I should have put that on my agenda so you wouldn't have fretted about it." Young said pulling his desk chair back to sit down.

"No worries sir. The quarterly budget outlines are ready and reports from Jensen, Yokiel, and Tipton are in print form on your desk as well in your tablet." She spoke briefly and efficiently. "Will there be anything else?" She asked.

"You are utterly efficient. Any chance you might want to stay on after Patrice gets back?" Young inquired.

"Now Mr. Young. We've had this conversation. I enjoy the variety of working for different companies." She deflected.

"Well if you change your mind, there is always a place here" He said, barely looking up from his desk. He fumbled through the morning mail and reached for his tablet.

Billie started to turn to leave but hesitated, wanting to prime the information pump a bit more if she could. She stepped back to Young's side of his desk and leaned against it in nearly a sitting stance. With hesitance in her voice she responded. "If I might be so bold, what exactly did you have in mind?" She leaned in a bit, letting her girls shift to present a respectable amount of cleavage. She was good at using them to get what she wanted.

Young sat back in his chair and looked her over. It was clear that he was enjoying the view of the girls. "Secretaries with your .." he glanced at her breasts before looking back to her eyes, "assets are always welcome by our executives. We need people with the right qualifications to take various positions." He stammered.

"I enjoy the variety of working in different offices. But I guess I must say that this company does have it's charm. Being employed by one of the four largest accounting and consulting firms in the world does help one's resume." Billie stated while crossing her arms under her breasts and lifting them slightly.

"This may sound a bit forward, but I would rather enjoy the opportunity of having you work under me for an extended time. Long enough to get to known one another more thoroughly." Young's words dripped with innuendo as he let his eyes undress her.

"And what about Patrice?" Billie asked. "What happens to her after her maternity leave?"

"Well, to be truthful, I'm not sure if Patrice is coming back after maternity leave. I was given the distinct impression that she was considering the possibility of becoming a stay at home mother." Young confided.

Billie saw the open door and recognized the opportunity. Internally she was considering the ramifications of Patrice and thoughts of why she would be leaving the company.

As she did, she suddenly recognized the sensation of Mr. Young's hand sliding up her leg, approaching her hemline. She calmly took total advantage of the situation. Young was a pervert. She knew that. Patrice had taken early maternity leave and was considering leaving. That being known, the resulting conclusion was that Young had made sexual advances at her as well.

Billie slowly parted her legs, letting Young enjoy himself as she milked him for more information. He was so distracted by her nylon clad thighs that he would have given away corporate secrets. 

"So what kind of benefits could a woman at Ernst & Young be offered in return for their loyal work?" Billie continued as Young massaged her inner thigh. His hand now pressed more deeply, completely hidden by her skirt.

"The possibilities are endless. Some choose to work closely as trusted advisors. Others have gone on to become the 'significant other' in the lives of our corporate executives." He stammered. He clearly was being effected by the feel of her flesh in his hands.

"Why would Patrice then choose to become a stay at home mother, when the ... benefits ... are so good?" Billie inquired. She slid closer to the center of Young's desk, positioning herself right in front of him and raised one of her legs. Putting her foot on the armrest of his chair she gave Young an unobstructed view and shot him a wicked grin.

Young grinned back at her with approval, realizing he had just been offered the opportunity to interview Billie for a long term position. And he liked the position she was suggesting. "She has her own personal reasons."

Now using both hands and moving to the edge of his chair, he slid the hem of her skirt up. Her legs were exposed completely as she leaned backward. She fell back onto her elbows, letting Young roll his chair up for a closer look. He inspected the prize he had hoped for and took delight in massaging her legs. His hands pressed her legs apart so that he could view her pantyhose covered body.

He started to lean in to lick at her nylon covered loveliness but she reached down and grabbed the top of his head. She held him there, just inches away from his goal. "What kind of benefits would the right candidate for Patrice's replacement be offered?" She tilted her head as if to demand an answer before he could continue.

"Healthcare. Salary bonuses..." he stared. With that she let go of his head. He leaned in and kissed the inside of her thighs, pressing his cheeks against them. "401k. Stock options." He kissed again. "No weekends or late nights." With that he dove in, pressing his mouth to her nylon covered pussy.

Young buried his face in her pussy, biting and licking at her nylons. He breathed in deeply, smelling her inner sweetness for all he was worth. She leaned back on her elbows knowing he wasn't in a position to see her face. She rolled her eyes and skewed her face, letting him grope and pleasure himself. But she was getting information that could be valuable. 

He pulled her hips to the edge of the desk. She could feel his open mouth sucking at her labia that were protected by a thin layer of cloth. He rubbed his nose against her pelvic bridge in excited pleasure.

Billie leaned her head back and continued pumping for information as he delighted in feasting on her body. "So is this kind of offer normal? How will executives involved in the upcoming merger feel about this?" She asked.

Young didn't respond. She could feel movement below her. Looking down between her spread legs she could see Young standing up. His belt buckle had already been opened and he was unzipping his pants as he stood. He started tugging at his boxers to release his cock.

For a man his age, his cock was pretty hard already. She knew she didn't want to have to fuck him for information but it was pretty clear that she wasn't getting out of this without him getting off from this.

She sat up and took his cock in both hands. She pressed her body against his and he responded by kissing at her neck. She leaned her head back and let him lick and kiss for his pleasure. 

Young started rocking his hips at her, his cock sliding through her hands with each thrust. He had a pretty solid erection going by the time he hit his stride. She used her head to push at his chest, causing him to stand upright again. He stood back a bit, still letting her grip his manhood. 




Liar Ch. 04



The reception was held in the grand ballroom of the finest hotel in Reston. Judging by the immaculate decorating, Brodie's parents obviously spared no expense. Lit only by what must've been hundreds of candles, only added an element of awe. What wasn't dripping with silk, and accented with crystal and gold was covered with white flowers ranging from roses, orchids, lilies, and other exotic flowers. Most of the evening had gone by with Sloane truly enjoying herself.. She almost forgot the reason why she had stayed away so long. Almost. Her family and friends provided her with only a temporary distraction from Gabriel. Every time she dared to sneak a look at him, his attentions were preoccupied with the pretty maid of honor he had been paired up with for the wedding. 

Choosing to ignore the stab of jealousy she felt at the sight of the maid of honor in Gabe's company, she drew on the anger she felt during her and Gabe's first 'encounter'. Or whatever she wanted to call their silent battle during the wedding ceremony. When she had turned to catch a glimpse of Dean, the church full of people faded into dead silence as her gaze collided with his. Sloane could only her heart pounding thunderously in her chest. 

Gabriel Jennings was still the most beautiful man she'd ever seen. He looked older, of course, but time had clearly been good to him, very good. His hair was cut closer to his head, bringing out all the intriguing angles of his face. The lips pulled back into a cocky smirk as his gaze intensely locked on hers, daring her to shudder. It was then she knew was he was doing. He was intentionally trying to get a rise out of her.. 

If he thought she was the same heartbroken girl that left, he had another thing coming. Squaring her shoulders, she pinned him with a glare that made flipping the bird in a church look like a nice gesture. 

"Sloane?" The masculine voice followed by a slight nudge shook Sloane out of her thoughts. She blinked, registering Walker Jensen's face staring back at her questioningly, "Darling, are you paying attention?" 

Sloane hesitated before slowly answering, "Of course...you were telling me about your promotion?" She prayed that's what they were still talking about. They had been on the subject for the last two songs. 

He looked at her quizzically for a moment before smiling darkly, "I've always liked a woman who knew how to listen." 

Sloane smiled sweetly at him rather than voice what she really wanted to say in response to his flagrant double meaning. 

As Walker continued talking, she resumed tuning him out. Sloane supposed she could've been attracted to Walker based on appearances alone. However listening to him as he went on and on about how he was God's gift to basically every noun had her wishing she never said hello to him at the start of the evening. 

The whole thing gave her a headache that only paled in comparison to the throbbing radiating from her feet. Had she known Walker would be so insistent on dancing to nearly every song, she may have rethought her decision to wear the sky high stilettos. After the numerous spins around the dance floor, her feet and sanity were screaming mercy. When the song ended she hurried out of Walker's embrace, glad for opportunity to seek refuge and to give her feet an overdue rest. 

"Let's get out of here." Walker commanded, rather than stated. He gripped her elbow and started to steer her towards the exit. 

"There's Layla." Sloane said quickly, ducking quickly out of Walker's grip. Sloane hurried off in Layla's direction. 

"Keep walking and don't turn around." Sloane whispered to Layla linking her arm with hers as she met up with her. 

"Walker too much for you?" Layla replied sarcastically. 

"Oh yeah...he's something alright." Sloane replied. 

****

"I can't believe you're actually leaving tomorrow." Layla said softly. Sloane stopped chewing her pizza to look over to Layla across the room. Tears that brimmed Layla's hazel eyes, threatened to spill over, as they had frequently during the evening. 

"Not again." Sloane sighed, setting her pizza down. They were taking a break from packing up all of Sloane's stuff that had accumulated in Layla's room since childhood. "It's not like I'm never coming back. I'll be back whenever I can." 

"You know what I can't understand?" Layla sniffed, "Why you chose to go to Cali-freaking-fornia. What happened to staying here and going to State?" 

Sloane shrugged as nonchalant as she could, but she knew exactly what happened. Gabriel Jennings. That's what happened. He was a man not known for his bedside manner. She was the foolish girl that thought she was different. It was an old story and lousy one at that. The truth of Sloane's feelings for Gabe hit her like a ton a bricks. Sloane wasn't naïve, she knew sex always complicates things, but she had always liked him on some level or she would've never slept with him that day. 

Sloane started fidgeting, something she only did when she was nervous. Picking up on the action, Layla gave her a curious look.

"My mom's parents live out there and this gives me a chance to get to know them." Sloane spoke finally, "Not to mention I've lived the last 18 years of my life under the unwanted protective custody of my brothers. I want to experience the world. If I don't get out of here now I don't think I'm ever going to. I feel like this is my chance." Sloane let a silent sigh of relief when Layla looked to have accepted her partially true answer.

"Well then I'm happy for you." Layla said, her voice wavering before sobbing all over again, "My best friend in the whole world is going away to a college a bazillion miles away, while I'm stuck here soon to be big as a freaking house." 

"C'mon Layla, you're pregnant. Getting big as a house is inevitable," Sloane couldn't help but giggle at her friend's overdramatic reaction, "And if you ask me, you being upset about me leaving is just smoke screen for what's really bothering you." 

"And that would be what Dr. Bennett?" Layla teased.

"With me gone you'll have no choice but to open up and lean on Jackson." Sloane said quickly. 

"No..." Layla protested.

"Yes." Sloane corrected, "Since you found about this pregnancy, you've spent more time with me than you have with Jackson."

"That's not fair, you're leaving..." 

"I know, and I love you for trying to spend as much time as possible before I leave. And as scared as you are about this pregnancy, I'm sure Jackson is too. Remember this isn't just your baby. It's both of yours. Something that he wants to be a part of, every step of the way. Whether or not you want to see it, he loves you Lay. Open your eyes." 

"Did you talk to Gabe today or something?" Layla said after a long time spent in silence. The sudden mention of Gabe taking Sloane by surprise. 

"Gabe? No. Why?" 

"Nothing really, just that he basically said the exact same thing." Layla replied, "You two are freakishly in sync for people who barely say two words to each other. Although..." 

"Although what?" Sloane asked. 

"You didn't tell him you weren't going to State with us in the fall, did you?" 

"No. You didn't tell him did you?" Sloane said, unable to mask the anxiety in her voice. 

"I'm sorry I didn't know it was a national secret." Layla shot back. 

"It's not." Sloane covered. 

"Well...when I mentioned the two of us hanging out tonight since you were leaving tomorrow, he bombarded me with questions. You should've seen his face when I told him you were going to school in California. If I didn't know better, I would say he likes you Sloane." Layla said, before looking at Sloane and shaking her head, and laughing "No, that's crazy." 

"Yeah. Crazy." Sloane replied just before she broke down and started crying.

"Oh my god! Sloane what's the matter?" Layla asked. 

****

The reception was in full swing. The music was great and the alcohol was abundant. There was an endless supply of willing female company. Distractions shouldn't have been in shortage, however Gabe found himself unable to tear his attention away from the dance floor, more specifically the raven haired beauty right smack dab in the middle of it. 

He sipped his beer slowly as he watched Sloane move to the music. Sloane had always been a graceful dancer, but watching her now he couldn't help but noticed that she had clearly picked up a thing or two. He wondered what else she had learned in the last six years. Her dress clung to her body, leaving little to the imagination. His gaze traveled down her lithe body, stopping to appreciate the way the fabric of her gold dressed stretched across her ass as she swayed rhythmically to the beat. 

Gabe hadn't been the only one appreciating the view. He had spent the better part of the evening watching Walker Jensen attempt to mark his claim on Sloane. His desire to break Walker's fingers was only subdued by his greater desire not to cause a scene. It appeared that Sloane was doing a good job at keeping him at bay, but Gabe knew Walker and knew his reputation. He'd have to keep an eye on him. For Sloane's own safety of course.

"You have got to be the worst best man in history." Gabe tore his attention away to see Dean hovering over him. 

"I told you choosing Gabe to be your best man were a mistake. You should've picked me." Added Jackson accompanied by Layla wearing her usual irritated expression whenever she looked at him. 

"I'll make up for it at your next wedding." Gabe replied, grinning.

Dean chuckled before plopping down in the seat a few down from Gabe, "Don't hold your breath. Brodie is my life. Hell, the woman will probably be the death of me as well. I still can't believe she married me." 

"Damn well took you long enough." Gabe said, "You should've done it a long time ago." 

"Amen." Jackson agreed, "That should mean a lot coming from Jennings. He's been through half the female population. We all remember my bachelor party, right?"

"Hey now!" Gabe chuckled, looking at Dean he replied, "You're no saint either. If memory serves, pre-Brodie, you were working your way through other half. I'm just catching up." 

"He's a married man now," Jackson said sitting down and pulling Layla into his lap, "Let me be the first to welcome you to the club." 

"Better late than never, right?" Dean said looking directly at Gabe before shaking his head, "I don't suppose you'd understand." 

"Nope, not a clue. Do you have your hotel key?" Gabe said, changing the subject, "I gave mine to Johnna." 

He, Jude, Jackson and Dean had stayed in the hotel the night before, and had the room for another night. Working his frustration out with Johnna, the sexy maid of honor, was a lot better than the source of it. 

"Johnna? Again? I think she's becoming a habit." Dean commented raising his eyebrows. 

"Don't go exaggerating now. We have a mutual..." Gabe trailed off, grinning devilishly before he finished, "Understanding." 

Dean met Gabe's gaze and shook his head," Karmas a bitch bro. One of these days you're going to be the one waking up alone the morning after." His statement eliciting a small choking sound from Layla that she tried to cover up by coughing. 

"Are you okay?" Jackson asked Layla, his eyebrows furrowed in concern "Do you need some water?" 

"I can manage it myself. I need to check on JJ and Connor anyways. They're probably getting into all sorts of trouble. Just like their daddy used to." Layla said, getting off his lap. 

"Who are you fooling, Layla? Their daddy still does." Gabe added grabbing her attention. Layla scoffed before rolling her eyes and walking off. 

"I don't know what you did to her Gabe, but she's always been..." Jackson trailed off, "Less than fond of you." 

"That's an understatement." Dean laughed. 

"I think she's coming around. She almost lasted a whole minute this time." Gabe laughed as he saw Sloane meet up with Layla.

"Yeah, but tonight's different. Layla's usually not this obvious with it." Jackson replied. 

"Do you blame her?" Dean said suddenly, prompting curious looks from both Jackson and Gabe, "I mean, Sloane was her best friend." 

His comment caught Gabe by surprise causing him to choke on his beer. There was no way Dean could know. Aside from Layla and Jude, no one else knew. He turned to see Dean already staring at him with a look he was all too familiar with. The unfamiliarity was that he had never been the unlucky bastard on the receiving end of it. 

"Whew! Great party Dean. Two down, one more to go and then all these fine ladies are mine for the picking." Jude said approaching the table. He looked between Dean and Gabe, "What'd I miss?" 

"You're right in time actually," Dean started followed by the longest and most uncomfortable moment of silence, "We were just about to discuss how Gabe fucked my baby sister." 

****

Discovering Sloane was leaving tomorrow had been a shock. The fact that he had to find out from Layla, not Sloane, felt like betrayal. Gabe knew her sudden 'epiphany' to go to school in California, instead of State as she always planned, had to do with him, rather than the reason that Dean had told him earlier. 

He had spent the last couple months playing Sloane and his feelings for her off as if nothing had happened. He wasn't an idiot. He knew that it would make her hate him. It was a repercussion he was willing to make until he could sort out his true feelings for her. He couldn't chance making a rash decision, not when his friendship with Dean and Sloane hung in the balance. Now she was leaving and with her went any chance of finding out. 

Gabe had been sitting on his porch waiting for Sloane when she pulled her dad's car into the driveway. He was already on his way towards here before she even shut off the engine. Moving soundlessly through the night, the cool summer breeze carried her unique scent in the night air. Preoccupied with getting a rather large box out of the backseat, Sloane didn't see him advance. However, he saw her still momentarily, as if sensing his presence. 

"Quit sneaking up on me." She called over her shoulder, not bothering to stop her actions. "It's screams creepy stalker." 

"Speaking from experience I have the utmost confidence that you could take out any unwanted assailant." Gabe said, just as Sloane punched the box, muttering a few choice words in frustration, "You kiss your mother with that mouth?" 

"I've kissed a lot worse." Sloane said finally turning around to face him. He hadn't been that close to her since that night. Gabe wasn't sure if was just the moonlight, but for the first time he realized just how beautiful Sloane was. 

Pushing her aside gently to lift the box effortlessly out of the back seat, he took in the contents of the box, "So you're really leaving?" 

"Yep." Sloane replied, snatching the box from him. He saw her shift under the weight of the box, but continued to walk as if it didn't faze her. The woman was stubborn as a mule. 

"Let me get that." Gabe said following her, "It's obviously too heavy for you." 

"I'm fine." Sloane replied, before setting the box on the trunk. He saw her pale green eyes widen with discomfort when she turned to see him so close to her, "A little space please." 

"California isn't space enough?" Gabe said, getting right to it.

"Asks the man who's been avoiding me for months." Sloane countered. Crossing her arms, she unintentionally drew his attention to his breasts. Following his eye line, she uncrossed her arms and settled on sticking her hands into her pockets. 

"I haven't been avoiding you." Gabe started, "I just needed time to-" 

"I really don't care." Sloane interrupted. Although her voice never once wavered or cracked, the look in her eyes said everything that she refused to. He had hurt her," What do you want, Gabe?" 

"You shouldn't base a decision as big as moving all the way to California, because things with us are so messed up. You shouldn't go Sloane, not because of that." 

"Are you even listening to yourself?" Sloane snorted, moving past him. "I hate to break it to you, but my world does not rise and set on your ass, Gabriel Jennings. Get over yourself." 

"Okay so that's not why you're leaving," Gabe amended, "But we still need to talk about what happened that day." 

"Why? We're just going to say it was another mistake. Which I realize now how stupid of one it was. So let's just call it even and move on." 

"You really think it was a mistake?" Gabe asked, curiosity getting the better of him. 

"Good night Gabriel." Sloane replied, evading his question.

"Answer the question.." Gabe said seriously blocking her each time she tried to move pass him. 

"Get. Out. Of my way." Sloane said slowly, gritting her teeth.

"Do you Sloane? Cause I don't.." Gabe said. His statement shocking both of them. Sloane stilled, stopping dead in her tracks. He hadn't meant to say it but having it out there in the open felt like a heavy weight off his shoulders, so he continued, "I wasn't sure until right this moment, but it's the truth. Saying it was a mistake would suggest that I regret what happened between us that day and I don't.

"You've barely said anything to me and now you get struck by the truth and I'm supposed to what? Swoon!?"

"Quit avoiding the question. What is it Sloane? Was it a mistake?" 

"Let me ask you something. When did you figure out that you felt this way? No, better yet...before you found out I was leaving tomorrow, did you feel this way?" Sloane asked.

"Ye-" 

"Liar! The only reason you want to believe it wasn't a mistake is because I'm leaving. Goodbye Gabriel." Sloane said reaching out to squeeze his arm Gabe felt a surge of electricity, followed by the heat spread through his body. He looked at Sloane and knew she had felt it too. 

"I can see it in your eyes, you know just as well as I do that there's something bigger than the both of us happening here," Gabe said his eyes blazing down into hers, seeing the veracity of his statement grip her, "You know there is." 

Sloane took a deep breath, struggling to regain her composure, "You don't know me at all, Gabriel. Because if you did, you'd know I never make the same mistake twice." 

"Liar." The overwhelming feeling to prove her wrong had Gabe dropping his head to deliver a punishing kiss. He felt Sloane's resistance resolve before hearing her moan and allow him thoroughly kiss her. When they finally broke the kiss, they were both breathless gasping for air as Sloane clutched his shirt. 

"You want to call that a mistake too?" Gabe panted. He looked down at Sloane and could practically hear the thoughts racing through her mind. Tilting her chin up, he gave her a quick peck on the lips, "Don't think. Feel."

"I don't-" Sloane started to say, before being silenced by another kiss. 

"But-" She tried to say before he kissed away whatever logical explanation she was about to come up with. If he had any shot, he had to get Sloane out of her head. 

"We can't-." Kiss. 

"This isn-." Kiss.

"Stop-." Kiss. 

"Kissing me and let me fin-!" Kiss. Sloane's natural reaction to disagree with him had things escalating and fast. After a few more protests, they were both entwined in another dizzy kiss. 

Hot. Gabe was hot all over. He pinned her against the car, grinding his rock-hard cock into her causing them both to moan. His hands were hot on her body, touching everywhere he wanted to taste. 

"One night." Gabe murmured as he trailed kisses up the column of her neck. One night wouldn't be enough, but it would be a start.

"I can't." Sloane started before breaking off in a moan, "I have to finish packing." 

"Transfer to State." Gabe whispered devilishly into her ear, his tongue tickling her lobe. 

"Gabe..." Sloane moaned, ending in a hiss when he unbuttoned her jeans and reached in. Running his finger along her slit, he hissed his approval to find that she was already wet for him.




Liar Ch. 04



"Don't go. Be with me. You know you want to." Gabe teased, "Stay with me." 

Sloane couldn't think. Gabe's fingers were moving quicker now causing her to thrash against him. She couldn't believe he was doing this right outside of her house, with her parents and brothers sleeping right inside. The thought of getting caught only added to the excitement. 

"Say yes Sloane," Gabe taunted, using his free hand to reach under her tank top and tweak her hardened nipples, "I need you to say yes."

"Oh god." Sloane panted, as she bucked against him. She gripped his shoulders and let her head fall back against the car. 

"That's not the answer I was looking for. Yes. That's all I need you to say." Gabe said as he dipped his finger deep into her sheath. 

"Oh god, yes. Yes!" Sloane thrashed. Gabe smiled with satisfaction a fraction of a second before swooping her off her feet.

"My box!" Sloane giggled as Gabe carried her of in the direction of his house. 

****

Layla was in the middle of searching for Sloane when Sloane's phone went off for the fourth time in the last 10 minutes. She had found Sloane's cell phone and clutch on one of the empty tables, but couldn't find her anywhere in sight. The only place she hadn't checked as the terrace and had been on her way there when she saw Gabe exit onto the terrace. 

'I'll go later.' Layla thought, trying to avoid an unnecessary run-in with Gabe. However her curiosity grew when she saw Walker hurry back in. 

She was about to see what was going on when Jackson showed up out of nowhere stopping her, "Leave it babe." 

Layla looked up at her husband defiantly, "You don't understand." 

"Yes, I do." Jackson said staring at Layla all too knowingly. 

"How do you...?" Layla asked raising an eyebrow, before shaking it off, "You didn't see her the night before she left. He messed her up. Really bad. This is the first time she's been back in years and I will be damned if I just sit by and let Gabe run her away again." 

"Layla..." Jackson said his voice stern and full of warning "Don't make it worse. Sloane is grown woman. She can take care of herself. Plus they have issues they need to sort out." 

"Fine. But so help me, if she leaves upset and that has anything to do with Gabe." Layla said squaring up and poked her finger in the center of his chest, "There's going to be hell to pay and I will start collecting with you." 

"I look forward to it." Jackson chuckled, before looking at Layla's hand, "Are you going to answer that?" 

"What?" Layla blinked realizing he was referring to ringing coming from Sloane's cell phone. 

Whoever it was may have had an urgent message so on the fifth ring she finally answered. 

"Hello?" Layla said. 

"Finally! I understand ignoring the first call, but if the person calls back four times in a row, then clearly the must of a bleeding urgent matter." 

"Excuse me?" Layla replied confused. The female voice on the other end rambled off so quickly and in an accent Layla didn't understand. 

"This isn't Sloane. I thought I was ringing her..." the voice trailed off as if they were checking to make sure they called the right number. 

"This is Sloane's phone. She's a little preoccupied right now." 

"I hope it doesn't have anything to do with that tosser, Gabriel Jennings?" the woman asked. Clearly this woman knew Sloane personally. Before Layla could investigate any further, she continued talking, "No bother there are more urgent matters. Listen, could you be a darling and tell Sloane that her Miss Jacobs stopped me when I was leaving her flat earlier today. Apparently the old biddy forgot about a previous engagement she committed herself to and cannot get out of it." 

"Okay." Layla said, not sure why Sloane would need to know about her neighbor's activities. 

"Anyways she's on holiday for the next couple of days, so I have graciously stepped in and avoided a potential crisis. Despite what Sloane says I am perfectly capable of watching Ethan. So tell her that he's with me and she needn't worry." Layla heard a loud crash in the background, followed by a few unlady-like choice words from the woman, "I gotta go. Please have Sloane call me." 

Layla snapped the phone shut before looking at Jackson, "Who in the world is Ethan?"

****

The reception was nearing its end and Sloane found herself seeking solace, or hiding, next to the column at the entrance to the terrace. She kept an eye on Walker, who was currently on the opposite side of the room. She watched as he scanned the ballroom in search for her. She would need to avoid him for the rest of the night. Just then a breeze blew in from the terrace causing Sloane's warmed body to hum in appreciation.

She breathed out a sigh of relief as the cool air hugged her body as she turned to walk further out onto the terrace. When she reached the ledge, she splayed her hands on the cool marble as she gazed out into the countryside.. She couldn't remember the last time she was able to see the stars. With the bright lights and smog of the big city, being able to see one star was a rare luxury. The stars glittered in the sky as the moonlight illuminated the countryside. The passing clouds moved across the moon casting dancing shadows across the fields. 

The whole scene was hauntingly beautiful, making her decision to not coming back sooner more and more foolish. Coming back was turning out to be a lot better than she expected. All she had to do was avoid Gabe. 

"Here you are." Walker said into her ear suddenly causing her to jump, "I've been looking everywhere for you." 

"Oh," Sloane laughed awkwardly, "I was actually about to head back in." 

"Whoa there, what's the rush?" Walker said when Sloane made the motion of moving. When he gripped her hips panic to filled Sloane. Dropping his nose to her hair, he inhaled deeply, "You smell so good. It's been driving me crazy all night."

"Listen, Walker, I think you got the wrong impression." Sloane said grabbing his hands, but they didn't budge. 

"Let go." Sloane said in low voice looking him straight in the eyes. The look in his eyes was perilous, speaking of a man that was used to getting his way. Either willingly or force. She would've shuddered had she not been trying to mask her growing fear. 

A second later, his grip in her hair tightened as he yanked down forcing her head up. Sloane was helpless to stop the inevitable kiss as his head dropped down. Just as suddenly as Walker rushed her, she heard the unmistaken sound of someone clearing their throat.

When Walker finally released her, she looked over his shoulder and cringed. While she was relieved that someone had interrupted her and Walker, she would've gladly welcome Satan instead of Gabe who was currently burning holes into her. The muscle in his jaw ticked and Sloane knew it was only a matter of seconds before he exploded.

"Gabe." Walker spoke, "A little privacy please."

Gabe scoffed, his dangerous gaze pinned solely on Sloane, "That's not going to happen. You and I need to talk." Looking between Walker and Gabe, Sloane had a true moment of despair over who was the safer of the two men. She opened her mouth to start asking something before Gabe barked, "Now!"

"Okay." Walker spoke before releasing Sloane, "I'll leave you two to it." 

Sloane watched in shock as the coward known as Walker scurried back into the reception. She turned her attention back to Gabe. The ill-lighting outside didn't mask the storms raging behind his eyes. All at once memories that she had done well to lock away to the dark corner of her mind flashed through her mind at once causing Sloane to feel dizzy. When her breath caught in her throat, Sloane knew she was in trouble. There were so many things they needed to discuss, so she decided that playing it aloof until he laid his cards on the table was the best thing.

"So?" Sloane asked as casually as she could, "What did you need to talk to me about?"

"You told Dean about that night?" Gabe said unaffected as Sloane relished in the deep, sexy seriousness of his tone.. 

"What'd he exactly tell you?" Sloane asked trying to keep her voice even. 

"So you did tell him." Gabe said heatedly, "Fucking great. My best friend is mad at me for something that happened six years ago. This is ridiculous."

"What?" Sloane asked again, "This is just about us sleeping together?"

"Dumb doesn't suit you." Gabe said cruelly.

"No, but it clearly suits you." Sloane spat back, "I didn't tell Dean anything about that." 

"Well he knows. So if you didn't tell Dean and I sure as hell didn't tell Dean, then who did?" Gabe asked.

"How the hell am I supposed to know?" Sloane said, her voice rising as her temper did, "If anyone said anything to anyone it would be you. It happened a billion years ago, why does it matter anyways if he knows?"

"It doesn't matter, but I would appreciate a warning the next time you decide to let your brother know about our extracurricular activities."

"You won't need a warning, because there won't be a next time. This is unbelievable," Sloane said out loud to no one in particular, "Six years and you haven't changed one bit."

"Which is comforting considering you wouldn't have let a tool like Walker within a 10 mile radius six years ago. Let alone let him have his way with her out on the balcony." Gabe spat at her, 

"What the hell does me being out here with Walker have to do with anything?" Sloane replied.

"You look different. I wonder just how different you actually are." 

"Quit the semantics. If you're trying to say something Gabe, just say it." Sloane asked not sure if she wanted to know.

"Is that how they do it in California? Out in the open where anyone could walk in?" Gabe said cruelly. Sloane couldn't respond, too far in disbelief to formulate a response. He wasn't insinuating what she thought he was or was he? "I should've known it was only a matter of time before you turned into a whore." 

Gabe barely finished before Sloane slapped him. Her hand stung, but he barely flinched at the contact, "Fuck you Gabe." Sloane said low and deadly, "You don't know a goddamn thing about me or my life in California." 

"Uh, Gabe? Sloane?" Jude called out from somewhere behind them. Sloane broke the heated moment to glance at Jude which immediately lightened the mood.

Jude Simoneaux was born and raised in the southern bayous of Louisiana. He was the lethal combination of sexy and rebellion that drove the ladies crazy when he moved to Reston to live with his grandmother. Throwing in that he came from old money and was the only heir to the Simoneaux fortune, Jackson had been the object of desire for ladies old and young. When Sloane had left 6 years ago, he was backpacking through Europe before he stepped into his late father's position to take to take over the family business. 

Sloane was still pissed, but couldn't suppressed the urge to laugh at the sight of Jude walking blindly as he used her clutch to shield his eyes, "Are you guys out here?" 

"What are you doing?" Sloane said making her way over to Jude. She snatched her clutch from him and smacking his arm with it, "You can open your eyes. There's nothing going on." 

"Knowing you two, you can never be too sure. We all remember the last time I barged in unexpectedly. I know I do." Jude replied with devious smile as he wiggled his eyebrows.

Gabe cleared his throat before Sloane respond, "What's going on?" 

"Jackson won't let Layla come out here, so she sent me." He turned back to Sloane, "Now I'm supposed to tell you something about your friend calling. There was some sort of emergency with someone named Ethan." 

"Oh my god!" Sloane said frantically, she started rifling through her clutch in search of her cell phone. She quickly checked the call log and groaned. Three missed calls from Miss Jacobs and four missed calls from Gigi. She tried calling Miss Jacobs, but her phone made a weird beeping sound before her display flashed 'No Signal', "Shoot!"

"Is something wrong?" Gabe asked, his expression changed now to show concern. A change that didn't go unnoticed, but Sloane had other things on her mind to care. She ignored his question and started to roam the balcony holding her phone up, praying that one of her bars would pop up.

"Come on, come on, come on..." Sloane chanted moving her phone wildly in the air, "Freaking signal is crap out here."

After sweeping the entire balcony, Sloane shut her phone letting out a slew of profanities as she shut her phone. Sucking in a deep breath, she collected herself before rejoining Jude and Gabe.

"Can I use your phone?" Sloane asked Jude.

"Sorry chère, I left mine up in the room." Jude said ruefully.

Sighing, she looked at Gabe pleadingly, "Can I please use yours?" 

"Mine's in the room too," Gabe replied, his eyes filled with concern and curiosity, "Come on. We can go get it."

****

Once they got to the room, Gabe let Jude show Sloane where the phone was. He, on the other hand, went directly to the bathroom to splash much needed cold water on face. He looked at his reflection in the mirror. The muscle in his jaw ticked at the image of Sloane and Walker, an image that was more than likely permanently burned into his mind. Something inside of him had roared it's ugly head. Something that Gabe hadn't felt before. Possessiveness.

Sloane always seemed to bring it out in him and seeing her with Walker had definitely pissed him off. She'd been in town less then a day and she was already cozying up to a man. 

'If it's going to be anyone, it's going to be me.' Gabe said before mentally berating himself, wondering where the thought came from.

He realized in that moment that he had never even considered the possibility that Sloane had probably been with other men. This brought his thoughts to Ethan and why Sloane had switched from spitting mad to immense concern. His questions were dangerous and if he learned anything in the past six years it was that Sloane Bennett was just that, dangerous. He'd need to check himself and his libido or he'd be in bed with Sloane and neck deep in shit. 

He exited the bathroom seeing Sloane through the double French doors that sectioned off the bedroom area. She looked distressed, as she spoke rapidly and animatedly on the phone.

"What happened to not doing anything?" Jude asked suddenly from the opposite side of his attention. Turning to face him, he saw the look his friend gave him.

"I didn't do anything." Gabe replied coolly.

"Right, which explains why you were alone with her on the terrace?"

"I was making sure Walker didn't try anything funny." Gabe said. It was a flimsy excuse, one that he hoped Jude didn't catch.

"And she just left him with you!? If I knew the old bat was off her rocker I never would've left him in her care." Sloane exclaimed suddenly from the room, drawing the attention of both Gabe and Jude. She looked stunned for a moment before looking up and seeing that both he and Jude were staring at her. She plastered on a fake smile and wove her hand at them to ignore her. 

"Drop the tough guy act Gabe. A blind man can see the unresolved issues between you two. I know she hurt you back then but don't go fucking around in your past unless you're ready to face it." Jude started being the voice of reason. 

"I have faced it." Gabe said heatedly.

"Sure you have." Jude said sarcastically, before shaking his head, "Well I gotta get back down there anyways. Someone has to cover the fact that Dean's best man and long lost baby sister are both missing." 

"I'll go down with you." Gabe said. 

"I think you better stay up here. You know...work on laying your past ." Jude said grinning mischievously.

"I believe the saying is 'Lay your past to rest'." Gabe replied, "I'll walk you to the elevator."

"Details..." Jude laughed as he led the way out, "Minor details." 

"I'll be right back Sloane," Gabe called out. 

****

"Why would I give you my Christian Louboutin boots for something that you eagerly volunteered to do?" Sloane asked flippantly. 

"I'd say it's a fair trade. That vase is a priceless heirloom. It's been handed down from Wadsmore mothers to daughters for generations and generations-" 

"Bullshit." Sloane laughed.

"I beg your pardon!" Gigi gasped.

"I was with you when you bought it at that flea market." 

"Oh yeah, I forgot about that." Gigi said, before changing her course of action, "So your saying Ethan's not worth it?" Gigi countered. 

"Okay fine." Sloane finally said after tense moments of consideration. Gigi really was doing her a huge favor. 

"Seriously?" Gigi gasped, "I was just fooling, but if I knew what a lousy negotiator you were I would've aimed higher. I wonder what else I can finagle out of you." 

"Just the boots, don't push it Gigi." Sloane said. 

"I'll be right back Sloane." Gabe called loudly from the other room. She didn't have time to cover the phone. She hoped Gigi didn't hear--. 

"Who was that?" Gigi asked breathlessly. 

"Who was who?" Sloane replied dumbly. 

"Is it possible to cum from hearing a voice alone?" Gigi asked sounding a little dreamy.

"What?" Sloane asked not sure she heard correctly. 

"Fuck me, that was Gabriel Jennings, wasn't it?" Gigi gasped. 

"Call me first thing in the morning." Sloane said abruptly. She didn't have the energy to answer Gigi's questions, "Oh and please, please, please make sure that you deadbolt your door because he likes to answer. And call me." 

"You already said that." 

"I'm serious. Call me. I'm ahead in time zone so I'll be up." 

"Not if you don't get any sleep, you won't." Gigi responded her voice full of amusement, "You bet your American ass I'll call you in the morning, I want details." 

"There won't be any because nothing is going to happen. Good night!" Sloane replied. 

"Have a nice night Miss Bennett..." Gigi teased in a singsong voice as Sloane snapped her phone shut and tossed her phone on the bed. 

Letting out the breath that she didn't realize that she had been holding, "Solitude at last." 

She stood up and started walking over to the bathroom. The limestone floors and counters reminded Sloane of the European spa retreat Gigi had dragged her on. One of the walls of the bathroom was made entirely of glass that faced the street. They were pretty high up in the hotel, but the window was still frosted for privacy while allowing natural light in. 

Passing the mirror she glanced at her reflection, before doing a double take spotting the luxurious bathtub in her reflection behind her. She contemplated all of one second before making her decision. She checked her watch and realized that the reception would be done soon. Unzipping her dress, the cool bathroom air hit her bare back. The cut of the dress had left Sloane with no decision but to forgo a bra, she was just lucky the dress was tight enough to support her breast. They weren't overly large, but they weren't small either. Just as she let the dress drop slightly she remembered she left her phone in the other room. She'd better go get it in case Gigi called back. 

'Bless her eager heart, but the poor girl had no idea what she volunteered for' Sloane thought as she made her way to the room. Holding the front of her dress to her body, she left her back exposed to the overly cool air in the room. Immediately her skin bloomed in goose bumps. Just as she reached her phone, the sound of a sharp intake of breath behind her had Sloane spinning around.

"Gabe!" Sloane yelped. The surprise had Sloane loose her grip on her dress causing her to inadvertently flash Gabriel, "I thought you left." 

"I just went to..." Gabe trailed off as his eyes roamed over her exposed skin that her arms failed to conceal. "Damn." 

"Hey pervert!" Sloane said, using one arm to hold her dress to her, as the other snapped twice, and then circled her face, "Eyes up here!" 




Liar Ch. 04



"Nothing I haven't seen." Gabe said, eyes dark broadcasting his wicked thoughts. She knew that look all to well. That was the look of trouble. 

"Knock it off and zip me up." Sloane snapped, not in the mood for his libido.

"Ask nicely." Gabe teased, grinning as he eyed her up.

"Please." Sloane said, her tone void of sincerity and rolling her eyes. She spun around and bared her back to Gabe. Suddenly anxious, she looked over her shoulder to see if he was moving towards her. Her heart skipped as her iridescent green eyes crashed into the blue steel ones belonging to the last man her heart should be skipping beats for. 

Sloane watched as he approached her slowly, his eyes never leaving hers. The air seemed to crackle with electricity. Sloane felt dizzy. She lost her breath when Gabe touched her shoulder, struggled to keep her hiss of pleasure contained. She sucked in a breath and held her waist, as he started the slow treacherous task of zipping her up. 

'Why is this taking so long?' Sloane screamed in her mind, trying to force her attention to on anything other than the heat consuming her body. She could feel his warm breath on her back, giving her chills as he made his way up. She could smell him, his scent that marked him and only him. 

'Gabriel' Sloane's mind whispered to her seductively. As the back of her dress close, she felt him place a light kiss at the top of where the ends met. 

"Anything else I can help you with?" Gabe whispered deep and seductively into her ear. He pressed up against her slightly, letting her feel his hardness on the small of her back. She closed her eyes, barely containing the need to spin around and jump him. 

Sloane looked up at him over her shoulder, bringing his lips dangerously close to hers. Just as her lips was about to meet his, the sound of the door beeping alerted that someone was about to come in. Quickly moving away from him, she waited until she was a safe distance away before looked to see who interrupted them.

"Baby? Where are you?" The maid of honor called as she floated through the suite, "Oh there you are."

"Shit." Gabe said under his breath as Sloane realized what was going on, "Johnna..."

"You left me down there all by myself," Johnna said ignoring Gabe as she walked right up to him. She didn't seem to notice Sloane cowering in the corner as she immediately wrapped her arms around him and started kissing his neck, "That was very bad. You know how I get lonely..." Sloane wanted to throw up at the feigned helpless tactic.

"Johnna. Johnna..." Gabe said trying to get out of her embrace. Sloane didn't know whether she should clear her throat or try to slink out of the room.

"Oh I see you're already ready for me," Johnna said cupping Gabe's cock, causing Sloane gasp. The sound triggered Johnna's attention who looked curiously between Gabe and Sloane before responding, "Who the hell are you?" 

"Nobody. I'm absolutely nobody." Sloane smiled, feeling like she wanted to cry. Six years and Gabe still hadn't changed, "Carry on." Sloane said as she walked out.

"Sloane...wait. Sloa-" Gabe called out to her as she shut the door.



Liar Ch. 05



She watched him anxiously, her green eyes dark with unbridled lust. She hadn't moved from where he tossed her effortlessly onto the bed. Now she was propped up on her elbows watching him as he watched her. 

Heavy anticipation coursed through her as she watched him shrug out of his jacket. Finally getting it off, he tossed it onto the floor before pulling his black tee-shirt off and tossing it next to it. He had been clothed the last time they were together, so the sight of his bare chest had her inhaling deeply. 

He was perfect. 

His chuckle at her uninhibited admiration, died in his throat when she quickly discarded her tank top and tossed it at him. She hadn't worn a bra. It was her turn to smile as she slowly rose to her knees. He had undone her jeans earlier in the driveway so it was no task to slip them the rest of the way down leaving her in just her thong. She loved the way he watched her. It made her feel unrestrained. Powerful. A feeling of total abandonment. 

Crawling her way to the foot of the bed where he stood, she didn't hesitate to kiss him. Never being one to initiate the kiss between them, she relished in the power before conceding and letting him dominate. She felt him smile against her lips, when she let out a moan of appreciation. He nipped her bottom lip before sucking on it gently. It was a long and wet leisurely kiss that ended with her panting and him gripping her hips possessively. 

She stared back at him. He didn't look as affected as she was, except his eyes were half-hooded with arousal. When she slipped her hand down his jeans to feel his cock, he attacked her mouth again. She gently jerked his cock as she returned his kiss with the same, if not more, enthusiasm. When they finally came up for air, she gasped when he snapped the bands of her thong. He grinned sexily as he put them in the pocket of his jeans, before letting them fall to the floor. And with that they were both completely naked, greedily drinking in the sight the other provided. 

He pushed her gently back down on the bed. His eyes burned into hers before moving down and taking it's fill of her exposed body. She started to feel nervous under his unrelenting gaze. When she moved to cover herself, he gripped her wrist then brought it to his lips placing a chaste kiss on the inside of it. It was an innocent gesture that she felt in her clit. 

He lowered his head to kiss her on the lips, before moving down to kiss her collarbone. He worked his way down to her breast, paying extra attention to the hardened peak before shifting down until he was lying between her spread thighs. Pushing them further apart, Sloane's mind raced about how explicitly open she was for him. 

"Don't ever close yourself to me," he said seriously when he felt her resistance. 

His eyes pinned on her glistening pink flesh. She was as wet for him and he was rock hard for her. He had never wanted to taste any of the other women he'd been with, but the temptation was running deep within him. 

"I better be the only one to ever see you like this." Gabe said darkly, his eyes heavy with possession. He kissed her on her hip bone and crawled back up her body, "Say it Sloane."

"What?" Sloane said breathlessly. She wasn't prepared for the seriousness in Gabe's tone, "Say what?" 

"You won't ever let anyone see you like this." Gabe repeated, "I'll kill them-" 

"I'm yours," Sloane said meeting his gaze, "For as long as you want me." 

'Forever' Gabe thought. 

When he kissed her again, he unleashed his full arsenal of notorious expertise. His tongue plunged deep into hers, drawing out her tongue and sucking on it sending every one of Sloane's nerve endings into overdrive. She mimicked his ministrations, moaning into his mouth. His cock hardened to the point of being almost painful, feeling his fluid leak on the inside of her thigh. He regretfully took his mouth away from hers to look at her. The look in her eyes nearly paralyzed him, so he did the only thing he could and kissed her. Alternating between pecks to deep intimate kisses until she was panting, whimpering for more. 

She reached down to line his cock up with her waiting pussy, only to whimper in frustration, when he barely entered her. It wasn't enough. She tried moving her hips down to get more of him into her, but his firm grip on hips stalled her efforts. 

"Slowly or this will be over before it starts." He hissed out before a sound he'd never heard before managed to escape his throat. 

She had moved her hand down where he was in her, moving her hips slightly as she gently pumped the exposed part of cock that wasn't in her. She used her other hand to pull him down, kissing him until he started pushing more of himself into her. Her low, throaty moan was his undoing. 

"We can go slow next time, I promise." He said, giving no other preamble as he slammed his full length inside her hot core. She was tight, matched with the way she was clenching down on his aching cock he wasn't going to last long. 

She squeezed her eyes shut, as the size of him took her breath. When she finally opened her eyes, his fierce gaze devoured her, "Are you okay?" 

She arched an eyebrow before responding, "I'd be a lot better if you could start moving." 

He grinned sexily as he laced his fingers with hers and pinned them on the pillow above her head. He withdrew slowly before slamming back in. The sound that she emitted drove him crazy with desire. He started moving in a rhythm that drove her equally insane. 

She strained to absorb him, rocking her hips with each of his powerful thrusts, clenching him with each stroke until she gasped from the violent release of pleasure inside her. She watched and felt as he started to piston in and out of her. Sloane's body was racked with her second orgasm before Gabe stiffened above her, roaring her name as his seed filled her. As the last of his seed left him, he dropped down on top of her, burying his head in her neck.

It was in that moment, in his room that night, as she laid there pinned naked under Gabe did Sloane finally surrender to the battle that she'd been fighting since their first time together - she was in love with him.

The revelation was immediately followed by a slight terror that he may not feel the same way. He had only wanted her to stay. He never said anything about love. 

Sloane had no choice but to lay there staring up at the ceiling, a prisoner to her thoughts.

What if she stayed and it didn't work out? 

Would she blame him for not going to California? 

But what if it did work out between them? 

What would Dean say? 

What if he breaks her heart? 

His light snoring brought her rapid thoughts to a screeching halt. 

Is he...sleeping? 

Nudging him gently, he helped her out and rolled over. She wasn't sure if she should stay or not. Slowly edging herself off the bed, she thought she was almost out of his reach when he suddenly snaked his arm around her waist and dragged her against him. Too tired to try to move away again, Sloane laid there until she felt her eyelids growing heavy. She felt him place a kiss on her head. 

"I love you." He mumbled almost incoherently. 

She smiled. 

Content and sated, Sloane closed her eyes finally allowing sleep to claim her. 

The warmth of morning spilled in through the window onto her bare back. She lazily opened her brilliant green eyes, only to squint at the sudden brightness. She turned over and stretched languidly, feeling the bittersweet soreness that was inevitable after last night. 

Last night. 

She had lost count of how many times Gabe had pulled her under him to bury himself deep within her. She smiled to herself before jerking upright. She needed to get home before her parents realized she had never been there. More importantly was that she needed to tell them that she was staying in Reston. 

She rolled off the bed using Gabe's sheet as a makeshift robe as she searched his room for her discarded clothes. She was just about to ask herself where Gabe was when she saw it. A note lay on the pillow that Gabe had previously occupied the night before. She smiled gleefully as she waltzed over to it and picked it up. Her smile faded and her body went numb as she struggled to focus on the words. 

'I can't. I'm sorry.' 

****

The memory of that morning flooded Sloane with a vengeance. Angry with herself, she couldn't control the bombardment of repressed emotions awakening the pain she'd forced herself to forget. Fighting back tears, she hurried down the hotel corridor, picking up her pace when she heard Gabe calling her name behind her in the distance. As Sloane approached the elevators, she heard Gabe's footsteps pounding closer behind her. She was never going to get away from him if she had to wait for it to come up. Veering left in the direction of the stairwell, she rushed through the door. She stopped with the thought that Gabe would probably assume she would go, so she ran up instead. 

She made it to the second landing before the door she just entered through was violently pushed open again. She slammed her back against the wall and stopped moving completely. Holding her breath, she wasn't sure how long she stood there when she realized it was quiet. Too quiet. She should've heard Gabe's footsteps. 

She cautiously peered over the railing to see where Gabe was. She watched him from above as he started to go down the steps, away from her. She released her breath in relief, only to suck it back in just as quickly. She watched in horror as he stopped his descent, looked up and locked eyes with her. The slow grin that spread across his face was all she saw before she backed away from the railing and ran up the stairs. 

"Sloane. Stop!" Gabe commanded. 

"Quit following me." Sloane shouted down at him. He was gaining on her fast. She cursed herself again for the umpteenth time for wearing the heels she had. Totally inappropriate when trying to escape someone. 

"Quit running away and I won't have to." Gabe replied. 

"I'm just taking a chapter from your book." Sloane said just before pushing open the door to the roof. 

She looked around and almost kicked herself for her stupidity. She never thought clearly around Gabe. While it seemed logical at the time, running upstairs was by far the dumbest idea she had ever had. It was like one of those horror movies when the female run up the stairs instead of running to safety. 

As she ran along the ledge of the building, she was immediately reminded of her aversion to heights. She didn't even have to be looking down to feel the vertigo set in. She swayed slightly just before she felt a hard impact causing the wind to be knocked out of her lungs and sending her fast and hard towards the ground. She maneuvered her body around to focus on a very concerned Gabe staring down at her. 

The terror that raked his body when he saw her teetering close to the edge had been overwhelming. All logic was thrown out the window as he lunged and pulled her down to the ground. He opened his mouth to yell at her for her carelessness when he became mesmerized by the rise and fall of Sloane's chest as she struggled to catch her breath. When his gaze finally made its way up to Sloane's eyes, he found she was already staring up at him, clearly not amused. She didn't cover herself or hit him, which was a start. When he smiled, she frowned and started squirming. 

"Get off of me." Her plea came out restricted either because of his weight on top of her or the pain of the impact. 

"Quit squirming." Gabe warned, feeling his body reaction to hers. 

Sloane responded by using more force than necessary to get him off of her. She quickly regained her footing, huffing as she dusted off and smoothed out her skirt. When she heard Gabe laugh, she looked down at him to see that he was casually lying on his back. He had his hands laced behind his head staring up at her amused. Sloane glared at him. 

"I fail to see how this is funny. Maybe rolling around on the ground is acceptable from where you're from but this..." Sloane motioned to her dress, "...completely unacceptable." 

"A little harsh, not to mention hypocritical, considering you're from the exact same place." Gabe shot back at her, moving to his feet "Six years and you're all high and mighty. Don't be so uppity Miss California." 

"Well excuse me for preferring to stay clean. I'm a complete mess thanks to you and your hero antics."

"If that was a thanks, for saving your life then you're welcome." 

"I wasn't trying to jump!" Sloane replied, "I find you revolting but I'm not that desperate to get away from you."

"Revolting?" Gabe scoffed, "Is that what it was down in the room?" 

"Don't get me started on whatever the hell that was down in the room," Sloane fired back before crossing her arms and glaring at him, "Isn't Johnna going to be wondering where you went?" 

"Probably." Gabe replied, entertained by the jealousy in her tone. 

Sloane looked at him waiting for the rest of his answer before she realized there was none. Typical. "Why'd you follow me?" It was her turn to smirk as she saw the arrogance disappear from his beautiful features. 

"I don't know." 

"You don't know?" Sloane repeated flatly. 

"I guess I don't." He shrugged, annoying her. 

"So you just chased me out the room, down the hall, up three flights of stairs only to knock me to the ground?" Sloane recapped bewildered, "Just for the hell of it?"

"It appears so." 

He was holding something back. Although every ounce of her wanted to force it out of him, she decided not to open that can of worms. 

"Okay, well as much fun as that was...I'm going to head back down," Sloane said easily as she turned to head towards the door. She stopped and looked over her shoulder, "Unless you have the urge to push me down again?" 

"I'll try to control myself." Gabe replied. 

"Try and do that." Sloane said walking away. 

The last thing she needed right now was to let Gabriel back into her life and back into her heart. The last time she let her guard down around him, she ended up pregnant and Gabriel Jennings ended up a father. 

Something he would never know. 

Sloane didn't feel guilty about her secret. At least she tried not to. 

Gabe was not the kind of father she wanted Ethan to have. She doubted he'd have any interest in having a son anyway. It would disrupt with his rogue way of life. Gabe's reputation of moving from woman to woman had started long before Sloane fell into bed with him. And if tonight with Johnna was any indication of the last six years, old habits died hard. Commitment was Gabe's kryptonite. And a baby was a huge commitment.

****

"Idiot!" Gabe breathed out once Sloane was outside of hearing range. 

He didn't want to let her leave again. That's why he chased her out of the hotel room, down the hall, up three flights of stairs and tackled her to the ground. 

His body still felt the effects of hers under his, which reminded him of the night they shared before she left. The memory was still fresh in his mind as if it was just this morning and not six years ago. 

He had woken up to Sloane sleeping angelically next to him. The fact that it was the first time he had actually been there in the morning barely registered as he drank in the sight of her sleeping form. The early sunlight glowed on her skin making her look ethereal. She was on her stomach with her head turned towards his. Her dark hair sprawled over the pillow and partially over her face. Her full swollen lips were slightly parted causing her to lightly snore. This woman was his. 

He had fought the desire to wake her up and bend her body to his will, as he had so many times throughout the night. Sloane was so giving and so pure. So much so that she was willing to forfeit her future to be with him. Anxiety quickly filled him. He couldn't ask her to do that.

He'd never been in a real relationship before. Sloane was so innocent and untainted. He couldn't trust that his tendencies wouldn't ruin that. Despite that warning bells going off in his head, he tore himself away from her, wrote a quick note and snuck out of his bed. All while she slept soundly, irony being that it was his work that caused her to sleep so peacefully. 

By the time he realized the magnitude of his mistake, she was already gone. 

The weeks following passed in a blur. The memory of Sloane and their night together haunted him. Alcohol numbed both his feelings and his brain. Luckily with the start of another school year, came another new set of female demographic to provide a distraction. By fall break, Gabe had been with a different girl practically every night. It didn't matter who it was because every one of them resembled her. 

His carelessness caught up with him when one of his many one night stands resulted with pregnancy allegations. He wanted to blame Sloane for his problems. It seemed easier than blaming him. Dread filled him as he thought of himself as a father. He was religious about protection, so the concept of fathering a child had never occurred to him. He was in no shape to be a father and his life was far from what one would call 'baby friendly'. Adding to the already volatile mix was the supposed "mother of his unborn child". Together he wasn't sure what kind of parents they'd make. Children were definitely not for him. 

His chaotic thoughts were blindsided by the sudden image of Sloane, her belly swollen with his child. She'd make a great mother. The image that flashed in his mind brought an overwhelming ache and calmness that served to further fuel Gabe's anger at himself. 

He had learned that the baby was not his the same day as Jackson's bachelor party. Caught up in the party and the relief of being off the hook as a father, Gabe partook in the festivities a little more than he should have. He had been too drunk to remember much of anything other than the image of Sloane and babies that plagued him in his alcohol induced slumber. 

After he got over his massive hang over the next morning, he had new outlook on life. Gabe worked his ass off to make up for the slacking he did during the first semester. Despite his father's unrelenting perseverance, Gabe refused to work for him after graduation. He wanted to make his own way, rather than live off his father's legacy and be a lawyer like he had working for his father's firm. 

After a few years as a detective with the Reston police department, he realized that what he really wanted was to open his own private agency. It took dedication, ambition, and hard work but he did it. 

So now here he was with the one that got away, the same one that would be leaving in the next couple of days. If anything he was more confused now then ever about his feeling towards her, but he wasn't selfish enough to ask her to stay again while he sorted them out.

Gabe knew he had hurt her all those years ago, he'd hurt himself too. With that reasoning alone, Gabe decided that he needed to go with his earlier proclamation and stay away from her. He had the sneaking feeling that he either needed to leave her alone or he'd never let her leave again. 

"Gabe?" The panic in Sloane's voice had him spinning around quickly and approaching her. 

"What's the matter?" 

"Th-the d-door." She stuttered out, "It's locked. I think we're stuck up here."



Liar Ch. 06



Hello Everyone!

I want to start by saying that I appreciated all the feedback I got on Chapter 5. I appreciated some more than others, but I appreciated it all.

I apologize for the obvious mass confusion and the only explanation I can provide is that Chapter 5 was originally a lot longer, but I decided last minute to break it up. Obviously that wasn't the best idea. My ass still hurts from the new one I was ripped about it, but I'm going to take everything in stride and assume that the reason for all the harsh backlash was because I'm this totally awesome writer and you guys expect something more from me. Right?? LOL. One can only hope...

Anyways I just want to say a big thanks to those of you reading this. Thank you for sticking with me and having faith that I'd somewhat mend whatever damage I did with Chapter 5. 

Also thanks to those who gave the positive feedback giving me inspiration to continue.

Without further delay, I give you Chapter 6. 

Or Chapter 5, Part 2....whatever...=)

Thanks,

Sin

******

Sloane watched as the concern on Gabe's face dissipated into disbelief. 

"You can't help me out here?" Sloane thought she heard him say. She wouldn't know cause the statement was directed more towards the heavens then to her.

"Un-fucking-believable." Gabe said pushing past her in the direction of the door. 

She heard that loud and clear.

"Look, I'm not happy about this either." She said following him.

"That's not what I mean-" Gabe started to say, before stopping himself. He didn't want to fight with her. Instead, he centered his strength on yanking hard on the door. 

"What are you doing? I already told you it's locked." 

Gabe ignored her and kept trying anyways. His efforts were futile. Aggravated he turned to face her, "Give me your phone."

"Don't you think I would've thought of that?" 

"Sloane!" He snapped before lowering his tone, "Just give me your phone. We'll call someone. They'll come up. Crisis averted."

Sloane opened her mouth, then snapped it shut, "I kind of don't have it."

"What!?"

"I must've left it in your room. Along with my clutch." Sloane said, telling herself mentally that she needed to stay calm.

"You seriously need to have that damned thing taped to you."

"Why don't you use your own damned phone?" Sloane replied. She watched Gabe feel his pockets and his jacket. His face broadcasted the outcome, "Of course you don't have it." 

"We wouldn't be in this predicament if some genius didn't come up here in the first place!" 

"Who's the idiot that chased me up here?" Sloane replied heatedly as Gabe sucked in a strained breath to calm himself. He spoke after a long minute.

"Okay we need to call a truce. Arguing isn't going to change the fact that we're stuck up here and God only knows how long that's going to be." 

Sloane eyed him up curiously. He was serious. 

This was going to be interesting. 

"Fine. A truce it is." She shrugged as casually as she could before excusing herself to take refuge on the far wall. 

The sooner she got away from Gabe the better. She needed remain calm around Gabe or who knows what she'd say. The last thing she needed was getting upset and saying something she'd regret. Sloane shuddered at the thought of Gabe's reaction if she let her secret slip. 

It wasn't the only thing that gave Sloane chills. 

She wrapped her arms around her shivering body. The temperature had dropped since she was out on the terrace earlier in the evening, not to mention the wind was a little stronger up on the roof. As she leaned back against the wall, the cool surface sent more chills down her spine.

"Here take this." Gabe said. She watched as he shrugged out of his jacket and handed it to her. 

"I'm okay, but thanks for the g-g-gesture." Sloane declined politely, unable to stop the involuntary chattering of her teeth, "It's not that bad." 

"Quit being stubborn and take it." Gabe said tossing it to her before taking a seat beside her.

Sloane was too distracted with pleasure her body felt from warmth his jacket provided to remember that she was trying to stay away from Gabe. Still warm from his body heat, Sloane almost pulled the lapels up to smell his scent on it when she remembered herself. 

"This is where you say, Thank you Gabe," Gabe said watching her closely.

"Thank you Gabe." Sloane repeated monotone.

"Why, you're very welcome Sloane." 

Neither said anything for a long time after that. When the silence between them was bordering on extremely awkward, Gabe glanced at Sloane only to see her twisting the edges of his jacket, staring ahead wide eyed. She looked so tense. And nervous. He locked eyes with her when she snuck a peek at him out of the corner of her eye, before she bit her lip and quickly looked forward again. 

Gabe couldn't help but laugh. 

"What's so funny?" Sloane asked strained. 

"You need to chill out." Gabe said laughing, "You're so tense over there, you're making me nervous. You don't have to worry, I'm sure there are a number of things we can talk about that doesn't leave you wanting to kill me and me wanting to strangle you." 

"Don't be so sure of yourself..." Sloane murmured. 

"What was that?" 

"Nothing." Sloane responded quickly. "What have you been up to?" 

As long as she could keep Gabe talking about his favorite subject he wouldn't ask her about what she had been up to. And then she wouldn't have to worry about lying to him more than she already had. 

'Not telling the entire truth is still lying' she often told Ethan. 

She was such a hypocrite. 

The lie she had told her family all those years ago replayed in her mind, "It was a one night stand. The guy was from out of town, he doesn't even know." 

She had tried to justify the grave statement by telling herself it wasn't a complete lie. So maybe it was a two night stand. But she did live in California, so technically Ethan's father was from out of town. 

And he sure as hell didn't know. 

After she told her parents about her pregnancy and scandalous conception, Sloane swore she heard her father's uproar all the way from California. 

Abortion was something Sloane briefly considered before throwing the idea out the window. When her father realized that she wasn't going to have one, he told her to return to Reston immediately...or else he'd fly out to California and drag her back. 

His threats relented only after a combined task effort from her mother and grandparents. Sloane would stay in California only if she moved in with her grandparents after Ethan was born. When Sloane decided to stay, her father took her decision as a blatant act of defiance resulting in an unspoken strain on their relationship. Sloane had always been a daddy's girl, so the drastic change devastated her. 

She soon learned it was the first in line of many changes. 

Sloane was sure she wouldn't make it to her due date, she had gotten so huge in fact that she had went to the doctors numerous times to induce labor. Her son apparently inherited her stubborn gene and came a week after his due date. Sixteen grueling hours later Ethan had been born and Sloane's life changed forever. With her scholarship intact for the next year, Sloane spent the summer settling into her grandparents' home and adjusting into her new role in motherhood. When school started again in the fall, Sloane traded college parties and whatever sliver of a social life she had for a part-time job and a life dedicated to her son. 

Had it not been for her grandparents' unwavering support, she wouldn't know how she would've gotten through the most difficult and most trying year. The heavy workload for the school year was only intensified by the stress of being a new mother. Not to mention a single mom.

"Me and you, baby. It's just me and you." Sloane would say often after coming home to Ethan drained and exhausted after a long day, especially during the times when the loneliness threatened to consume her. 

"Hello...Earth to Sloane." Gabe said drawing her out of her thoughts, "How are you going to ask me a question then zone out on me?" 

"Sorry, it's been a long day." Sloane replied, "I'm a little worn out." 

"Between Walker and JJ, I'm surprised you had anything left in you." Gabe said jokingly, causing Sloane to shudder at the thought of Walker. Gabe laughed at her reaction, "You didn't seem to mind Walker when you kissed him earlier." 

"You're lucky you came out when you did. I was about to show Walker exactly what was on my mind." Sloane said. Gabe knew she was good for it, "At least I was able to walk away from Walker looking decent and not like I rolled around in the sandbox. Seriously? Was a tackle necessary?" 

"I thought I was saving you." Gabe chuckled, trying to defend himself, "You should actually be thanking me."

"Oh right." Sloane said sarcastically, "Thank you Gabriel Jennings for ruining my dress and messing up my hair. Oh and I think you messed up my elbow so thanks for that too."

"Very funny," Gabe replied, "I meant that you should be thanking me for helping you look more like yourself now then you have all night."

"Oh thanks..." Sloane said offended.

"Don't look all hurt. You could be wearing a potato sack and still be beautiful." Gabe replied.

"Listen to that line..." 

"It's no line. I just have to say that it's weird seeing you all put together. Shiny." Gabe said distantly, "Perfect." 

He was still lost in thought when he looked at Sloane's gorgeous face. His conscience flashed danger, he cleared his throat, "You know, compared to the car wreck you were."

"This close to being a gentleman for once in your miserable existence," Sloane said gesturing with her thumb and pointer fingers, "Then you go and ruin it with an asshole statement like that."

"Creature of habit," Gabe smiled sexily down at Sloane.

"So I've noticed." Sloane said returning his smile.

Locking away her dangerous feelings, they both succeeded in avoiding the big elephant in the room, or more appropriately, on the rooftop. She listened to Gabe talk about how he went against his father's hopes of him being a lawyer in lieu of becoming a detective. When Gabe said that he had recently started his own private detective agency, Sloane tried to control her paranoia. 

It would be nothing for him to look her up and discover the truth. 

Unfortunately, the only savior from her paranoia was guilt. 

With the absence of Ethan as she recapped the last 6 years of her life, not only did she confirm with herself how lackluster her life was without him but it left big holes in her timeline. 

'That's what happens when leave out the most important thing in you life,' her conscience scolded. 

"So was everything okay with Ethan?" Gabe asked suddenly, successfully stopping Sloane's heart.

"Ethan?" Sloane squeaked out. 

"Oh come on now. I was standing right next to you when Jude told you to call him. Friend... emergency...remember...?" 

"Right, my friend Ethan." Sloane said slowly, breathing out a sigh of relief, "Yeah, he's fine. Everything is fine." 

"Ethan is lucky to have a friend like you." Gabe said. 

"I'm the one lucky to have him. He's like a kid really." Sloane said, smiling at her little inside joke. 

"Which probably explains how you were able to handle JJ." Gabe commented.

"What do you mean?"

"You're a natural when it comes to that kid," Gabe said, "Between Connor and JJ, I don't know how Jackson and Layla do it. Children are a handful."

"Interesting," Sloane said quizzically.

"Oh come on, don't pretend that you didn't notice," Gabe looked her humorously, "Little Jackson Jr. is wild." 

"He's not so bad. He actually seems tame compared to mine." Sloane said mindlessly before realizing what she had just said. 'Oh my god. Oh my god. Oh my god...' 

"Mine?" Gabe asked. 

"Uh...mine? Mine..." Sloane said grasping for a recovery, "Mine friend! I mean, my friend's son." 

Gabe eyed her curiously, "You're English is horrible. You need to get a refund from that college."

Sloane couldn't help but laugh. In the last minute alone she had went through so many highs and lows it was bound to end in mental breakdown. 

Gabe eyed her curiously, clearly aware of her skittish behavior, "You're acting very strange, you know that?" 

"I'm just tired." Of lying. 

"Clearly." Gabe said. 

Their conversation carried on easily to Sloane's surprise. Their playful banter didn't escalate to the heated arguments they usually did. Sloane caught glimpses of the man from that night all those years ago invoking feelings from all those years ago.

She wasn't sure how much time had passed when she let a yawn slip. Her eyes grew heavy as she laid her head on Gabe's shoulder and listened to the soothing nature of his voice. 

****

Gabe's eyes shot open. He looked around trying to remember where he was. 

Sloane shifted against him and he suddenly became very aware that he was hard and even more aware of her body tucked into his. She was fit perfectly against him, resting her head on his arm as she curved her body intimately into his. He had his arm tucked around her waist, pinning her against him. 

He'd been catching up with her before realizing she was fast asleep. Rather than wake her, it seemed easier to lay down with her. He had watched for a long time. Fighting the jealousy that surged through him every time she had murmured 'Ethan' in her sleep. 

This was torture. He wanted her. Which was completely crazy. He reminded himself that Sloane was leaving soon. 

His logic was lost with a groan when he felt her stir against him. He felt every inch of her against him. She stretch lazily, rubbing herself over his stiff cock before she turned in his arms to face him. She opened her eyes and blinked up at him. 

"Hello." She said breathily. 

"Hello yourself." Gabe said. 

"Why are you looking at me like that?" Sloane asked, squinting up at him. 

"You snore." Gabe said smiled down at her.

"No I don't!" Sloane said wide eyed. 

When she opened her mouth Gabe pulled her up to meet his lips. 

Six years of pent up emotion came to a head as Gabe delivered a punishing kiss. Sloane kissed him back, unable to tear her mouth away from his. 

The sound of fabric tearing and rustling of clothes echoed into the night as he covered Sloane with his body. He felt her hands all over him as she untucked his shirt and unbuttoned his pants. He shifted quickly, spreading her thighs for him and pinning her underneath him. He groaned when she slipped her hands down and gripped his ass. He nearly lost it when she started grinding herself up and down the front of his pants, her thong and his pants acting as the final barrier to where he wanted to bury his cock most. 

As he soon as he slid his pants down, he lifted one of her legs to wrap around his waist. He was unable to control the grin that spread across his lips when he found that she was wet and ready for him. 

She moved her thong aside and grabbed his cock, lining it up for him. He moved her hand away and rubbed it along her slit, "What do you want Sloane?" 

"Please," she whispered and watched as his nostrils flared. She moaned when she felt him begin to push inside, whimpering when he stopped. 

"Tell me what you want Sloane." Gabe demanded. 

"Gabe," Sloane breathed out roughly, her eyes staring daggers up at him, "Do. It." 

"Not until you tell me what you want." Gabe continued to tease. 

He was unprepared for the quick shove that Sloane gave him resulting in him staring up at the night sky. 

He looked just in time to watch her swing her leg over his body. She sat on his exposed cock, rubbing herself up and down his length of his shaft but not allowing him to enter. 

She shifted slightly grazing her clit against him causing her to gasp with pleasure. Gabe watched spellbound as she bit her bottom lip, throwing her head back and repeated the motion. When she looked down at him to start unbuttoning his shirt, she resembled nothing of a sex vixen. Her green eyes seemed to glow with anticipation as her dark hair was mussed as if they already had sex. Most tempting was her full lips swollen from kisses. 

"A little eager, aren't you?" Gabe chuckled, staring up at Sloane amazed.

"Feel free to stop me." She retorted, raising an eyebrow at him but not stopping her task of unbuttoning his shirt.

She frowned slightly when she got the dress shirt open only to reveal the other shirt he had worn underneath, "You have way too much clothes on." 

"Let me help you." Gabe said sitting up as he shrugged off dress shirt and pulled the other up and off of him. His movement moved Sloane back onto his muscular thighs.

"Much better." Sloane replied, kissing him hard on the mouth while she rubbed her hands all over his chest.

Gabe used his free hands to seize her hips and bring her closer to his waiting cock. 

"Tell me who's the eager one now, Gabe?" Sloane taunted seductively against his mouth. She was using his own words against him. He grinned against her lips as she lined his cock up at her entrance. 

"Show me what you want, Gabe." She said seductively licking his lips.

He responded by gripping her hips and shoving hard, filling her completely to the hilt. Sloane cried out as Gabe went stiff with blinding pleasure. 

When he managed to get a hold of himself, his body was coated in a cool sweat. Luckily she hadn't moved. He slightly loosened the death grip on her hips to raise her off of him. He slid back in, feeling her walls clench around him as he entered her deeply for the second time. She was tight and her muscles clamping down on him was making it harder from him to concentrate on not bursting before she reached her pleasure. 

Slow and steady, Gabe thought, slow and steady. 

Gabe filled her deeper than she remembered. Before she had a chance to register the initial discomfort, he gripped her hips and raised her off of him. If it was possible, Sloane felt him go even deeper when he slid back in. He took it slow thankfully, but after a few minutes his leisurely pace was driving her crazy. 

Sloane gripped his shoulders as she took control. She met his thrust and moaned when it forced him deeper inside of her. He hissed her name when she did it again. He slapped her ass and spread her cheeks and when he thrusted up again, he sunk another inch of himself inside of her. 

"Oh god..." Sloane moaned as she started riding him harder, grinding her clit against him. 

"That's it, babe." Gabe moaned, moving her on him. She threw her head back in ecstasy, squeezing her eyes shut as she let Gabe fuck her from beneath. 

She started to feel the familiar build up inside of her when he stopped abruptly. She tried to move but he tightened his grip on her hips to stop her movement. She opened her eyes to see him staring at her wickedly before flipping her over and pinning her underneath him. 

"Hold on," Was the only warning he gave as he wrapped her legs around his waist and slammed back inside of her. The air left her lungs and she raked her nails down his back so hard, she probably drew blood. He withdrew slowly and pushed her thighs open so far it was almost painful. When he locked eyes with her, he looked like a man possessed. She squeezed her eyes shut when we slammed back in roughly, drawing out a moan. Before long he was slamming in and out of her tight wet cunt.

The sex was rough and raw and Sloane reveled in it. The sounds of their moans and frenzied coupling echoed in the night. Not holding back as his powerful body pounded into hers relentlessly, he reclaimed her body with a vengeance. 

When Sloane started coming she bit her lip to refrain from shouting his name. Her resistance went unnoticed to Gabe, who roared her name as his seed filled her. He slumped down on top of her kissing her neck as he came down.




Liar Ch. 06



Sloane wasn't sure how long she let him lay on top of her, barely registering his weight on top of her. Her body was in heaven but her thoughts were in hell. 

Here she was back in Reston and back in the same situation she had been in when she left. She felt more confused then ever. Although she had been a more than willing participant, sleeping with Gabe rightfully took it's place as the dumbest thing she had done tonight. 

There were so many unresolved issues between them. Huge Issues. Extraordinarily huge issues between them that started with Gabe leaving her that morning and ending with her little secret named Ethan. Sloane stiffened. 

"We didn't use anything." Sloane thought out loud. 

"Oh shit." Gabe said raising himself up and rolling off her. He'd been so caught up in the moment he didn't even stop to pull out the condoms he had in his wallet.

"Are you...clean?" she asked softly, wanting to die as she heard her words.

"Yes." Gabe said seriously. Despite the her actions, she was clearly new to the whole 'hi-we-just-fucked-are-you-clean?' talk. Gabe couldn't help but be amused by her, "Are you?" 

"Yes." Sloane said calmly, although her expression told him he had clearly offended her. 

"I'm sorry. I don't know..." Gabe responded, trailing off when he realized that he didn't want to know what or who Sloane had been up to in the years passed, "Well as long as you're clean and I'm clean then we're good." 

"No we are definitely not good." Sloane snapped, rushing to her feet then away from him. 

Gabe looked at her and tried to focus on everything other than how sexy she was when she was pissed. Instead he braced himself for the inevitable incoming tirade.

"There are other things than just catching some disease Gabe!" She continued as she paced.

"We'll just make sure that we don't do it again..." Gabe started.

"Right." 

"Unprotected that is." 

"Wait, what?" She snapped her head back to see him giving her that damned smile. She was half amazed and half annoyed, "There isn't going to be a next time Gabe!" 

"I forgot how sexy you were when you're mad." Gabe said still not taking her seriously.

"There are so many unresolved issues between us." 

"I know that."

"We're talking 'deep-intensive-therapy' level issues." Sloane continued ignoring him, "I can't believe I let this happen again. I can't believe you let this happen again. Do you have any idea the consequences that could arise if-"

"Let's not get carried away now. It was just sex." 

"Right. Just sex." Sloane breathed out almost too soft for him to hear. 

When Gabe heard the words he had just spoken repeated by Sloane he wanted to kick his own ass for saying them in the first place.

"Sloane." Gabe said softly, rising to his feet and advancing towards her.

"No." Sloane said holding her hand up and shaking her head, "Don't."

"You know that's not what I meant." Gabe said ignoring her. He tried to take her in his arms, but she ducked out his embrace. 

Sloane started laughing, but there were tears in her eyes, "A sick part of me needed to hear that. Just to remind me of what it was and always has been between us."

"That's crap and you know it. You know it was more than just sex. It always has been." 

"You still left didn't you?" 

Gabe sucked in a deep breath and stopped himself from tucking a strand of hair behind her ear, "I never should've left you. I know that now." 

"I think it's a little too late for that." Sloane said sadly, "You have no idea what you walked away from that morning. No idea at all."

"You're wrong. It haunted me for months, hell it still haunts me. That's what I'm trying to tell you." Gabe continued, "It was horrible. I had no one. I couldn't go to Dean. There was Jude but all he did was remind me of what an idiot I was."

"It sounded like a very difficult time for you," Sloane said sarcastically, pissing him off.

"I don't get you. You want me. You don't want me. You're here one minute, next minute you're off in the head of yours. You fuck me, but then you hate me. If it's not an apology you want then what is it? " 

"Nothing. I don't want a damn thing from you. As far as apologies go, it's weird cause I think I forgave you a long time ago," Sloane replied so calm and deadly Gabe knew she was serious, "I don't hate you. I tried, trust me. You shattered my heart that morning, but you also gave me something that pieced it together and for that I am forever thankful." 

"What are you talking about?" Gabe said lost at Sloane's cryptic words.

"You'll never know." 

And with that Gabe watched Sloane walk away from him, hating every moment of it. 

When he calmed down, Sloane words replayed in his mind. 

He frowned. 

****

The morning after was eerily reminiscent of one that she hadn't let herself think of in a long time. The warmth of morning spilled in through her window onto her back. She begrudgingly opened her brilliant green eyes, only to squint at the sudden brightness. The bright sunny morning was opposite of what she was feeling. 

Sleep did not come easy, or peaceful for that matter. Sloane had tossed and turned throughout the night, while the sleep she managed to get was filled with images of Gabe and what happened last night. 

Luckily a teenage couple had sneaked up on the roof a few minutes after her and Gabe's big blow out, giving her the salvation she desperately needed. 

She hurriedly left the hotel, her thoughts racing about how she had freaked out on Gabe. She just hoped that he didn't read too much into her words. If he did, she was busted. Scrunching her nose, she released an unhappy sigh. She needed to call Gigi. 

Looking around the room she didn't see her phone or clutch in sight. After a quick brushing of her teeth and freshening up, she was onto the daunting task of locating her phone. 

Walking down the hallway she looked at the framed photos hanging on the wall when she came across one of her kindergarten graduation.

She had been such a proud and happy 6 year old beaming from all the attention, and right before her mother snapped the picture her oldest brother Nathan had knocked her cap off her head. 

The picture caught the moment immediately following. 

Nathan was doubled over laughing hysterically. Roman, the second oldest, was clutching his stomach. She stood in the middle, her chubby face blank with shock and Dean was staring at something out of the frame. She never really paid much attention to Gabe who stood on the other side of Dean, but as she examined the picture closely she realized that Gabe was glaring at Nathan.

Her breath caught in her throat looking at a 10 year old Gabe. 

Sloane shakily sat the picture back down. With the exception of his green eyes, Ethan was a spitting image of Gabe. Same dark hair. Same features. Same mischievous grin. Anyone with a pair of eyes would be able to make the connection. 

Lost in her thoughts, she nearly collided with Dean as she reached the bottom of the steps. 

"Whoa there," Dean said reaching out to steady her.

"Dean?" Sloane breathed surprised. She eyed up Dean's casual appearance of a jeans and polo shirt. "What are you doing here?"

"Are you only now getting up?" Dean replied checking his watch.

"Uh...jet lag?" 

"Well yeah..." Dean reasoned, "I guess that makes sense."

"Time zones," Sloane offered with a shrug, "What are you doing here? Shouldn't you be shacked up in a hotel somewhere with your wife? Or...I don't know...on your honeymoon?" 

"Trust me, there's nothing I'd like more than to be bending my wife over, pound-" 

"Over share." Sloane said, holding her hand up to stop Dean. 

"Sorry little sis, I forgot how prudish you are." Dean chuckled, mussing up her hair as only a brother could.

Sloane stared at him blankly before slugging his arm.

"Damn sis!" Dean said, rubbing his arm, "You hit like a dude." 

"Just like you taught me. Let's try this again, sans the graphic details please." Sloane asked walking into the living room, "Why are you here again?" 

"Brodie sent me over here borrow Mom and Dad's luggage." Dean answered.

"Less than 24 hours into holy matrimony and Brodie already made you her bitch." Sloane teased, as she started feeling in between the cushions, "Who am I kidding? She 'had you at hello'."

"Whatever. Just because you feel some weird connection to Renée Zellweger's character doesn't mean that the rest of us are obsessed with that movie," Dean joked, "Speaking of cute kids, why didn't you bring my nephew with you? I haven't seen him in what? Two years?"

"Three years," Sloane corrected.

"You know what I realized? Ethan has never been here. With the exception of Dad, we've all been up to California to visit but never the other way around."

"I never realized that." Sloane lied.

"It's almost like you're hiding him." Dean's tone was void of the speculation that he tried to pass it off as. Sloane refused to turn around. One look from her brother and he'd know full and well that she had purposely done that - hide Ethan from someone. 

"He was all set to go but then he got sick last minute," Sloane said without turning around, moving to the other couch.

"Well what kind of mother are you for leaving him alone?" 

"He's not alone. Gigi is watching him."

"You trusted her with the wellbeing of your son?" Dean said flatly, "Very brave choice. Knowing Gigi, Ethan is probably watching her." 

"Give her a break, she isn't that bad. I didn't leave Ethan with her at first, but Miss Jacobs had an emergency so Gigi graciously stepped in," Sloane explained, before changing subjects, "I thought you were here to get the luggage."

"I am. Is Mom and Dad here?" 

"I just woke up, but I don't think so. They aren't down here and they weren't in their room when I walked by." Sloane replied.

"Their car isn't in the drive way either, I figured you had it." Dean shrugged, "Oh well I'm sure they won't mind if I help myself to it."

"Don't you have your own luggage?" She asked getting up and walking into the dining room, not remembering if she even went to the dining room last night when she got home.

Then again she was upset last night so who knows what she did.

"We do but apparently it's not enough," Dean called out, "It's just for two weeks, but the way Brodie is packing you think we were moving to Paris." 

"Paris? Nice choice." Sloane said walking through the room to go into the kitchen, all the while Dean watched her with curiosity, "If you would tell her where you guys are going instead of keeping it a surprise she wouldn't pack so much. You know she hates surprises." 

"After six years of being together, it's a miracle I kept it a secret from her this long. Do you know how hard it's getting for me to surprise her?" Dean said following Sloane into the kitchen, "Brodie doesn't know about Paris so don't tell her." 

"Dont worry, your boring, clichéd honeymoon destination secret is safe with me," Sloane teased. 

I know all about keeping secret, she thought, as she closed the refrigerator and moved to the cupboards. 

She held up her three fingers, "On my honor as a Girl Scout." 

"I'd almost believe you if you were actually in Girl Scouts." Dean said, before curiosity got the better of him, "Okay I give. What are you doing?" 

"I can't find my phone," Sloane replied, as she closed the cupboard to look at him. "And my clutch for that matter. Have you seen it?" 

"Clutch?" Dean asked, "As in the car part?" 

Sloane rolled her eyes at Dean's clueless expression. Men.

"Purse. It looks like an oversized wallet." 

"Oh this thing?" Dean replied, presenting her with the clutch she had been looking for this whole time. 

"Thank goodness! I've been looking everywhere for this." Sloane said snatching her clutch out of his hand.

"You thought you left it in the refrigerator?" Dean laughed.

"Hey!" Sloane shot back at him as she emptied out the contents of her clutch onto the counter top, "You know I eat when I'm upset." 

"What did Gabe do?" Dean asked suddenly surprising Sloane. In one moment Dean's easy going mood switching into serious big brother mode, 

"Gabe? How'd you go from my stress eating to Gabe?"

"I know you were with him last night," Dean replied, "Well in his room. How do you think I got your clutch? The room was under my name, the hotel called and said they found it this morning." 

It was then she realized she never got it out of the room before she left. Yet another fine example of how she could never think straight around Gabe.

"It isn't what you think," Sloane turned to face her brother as she started to explain.

"That's exactly what he said," Dean replied, "You two are peas of the same dumb pod, both blind to the extremely obvious."

"Well that's a little harsh-" Sloane started to say, stopping when Dean scoffed.

"When I saw you that morning leaving Gabe's house, I figured you guys got each other out of each other's system."

"What morning?" Sloane said, turning back around again to face the counter. 

"The one before you left for college." Dean said behind her, "I saw you leaving his house in the morning. We live next door, it's not exactly easy to miss."

Sloane barely heard the words Dean was saying, her attention preoccupied with the contents of her clutch that was spread out on the countertop. 

Where was the picture she kept of Ethan? 

"Sloane are you listening to me?"

"Yeah. You saw me leaving that morning. Gabe thought I told you." Sloane said mindlessly, her thoughts still on finding that picture.

If someone found that picture of Ethan...she didn't want to think about it.

She racked her mind thinking of the last time she had it. She knew she had before the ceremony started. Where was it? She picked up her clutch and looked inside to see if it got caught on something. 

Nothing.

"Did the hotel give you anything else?" Sloane asked.

"Why are you missing something?" Dean replied coming to stand next to her.

"Just a picture of..." Sloane started to say when Dean handed her back the picture of Ethan she had just been looking for, "Ethan."

Dean knows. 

She stared down at the picture of Ethan for what seemed like an eternity before she found her words to catapult her out of her stupor. 

"You went through my stuff?"

"I wasn't snooping if that's what you're asking. You're were busy dancing with Walker and you're phone was ringing non-stop." Dean said, "I thought it was weird that you were carrying around a picture of Gabe when he was little before I realized that it was Ethan."

"Did you tell him?" 

"I almost did, but I only got as far as revealing I knew you two slept together. He was stuttering and beside himself explaining that away I knew there was no way he could've known that he fathered a child. Gabe isn't the type of man to run from his responsibilities anyways." 

Sloane fought the urge to scoff, "So you didn't tell him?" 

"It's not my secret to tell." Dean said seriously as Sloane released a sigh of relief, "Oh don't think you're off the hook."

"Can't you just pretend you didn't see this?" Sloane tried, grasping for any excuse to get out of the ear full she was about to get.

"Are you out of your mind? I know I haven't seen Ethan since he was a baby, but the kid in that picture looks exactly like Gabe. You better tell Mom and Dad. How are you going to explain it when they see him? Hell anyone that sees your son is going to know." 

"I'll think of something when we cross that bridge."

"Jesus Christ Sloane! Are you listening to yourself? You need to quit lying to yourself, to everyone, to Gabe!" Dean leaned into her again, "You have to tell him Sloane."

Sloane shot him a look of pure disbelief only to see that Dean was dead serious.

"I can't-." Sloane sighed, fighting back the tears that were forming in her eyes, "I won't. I made a decision and I'm sticking by it."

"Do you have any idea how immoral you sound right now?" Dean asked, "You're really going to keep something this big from him? Gabe has a right to know."

"And that means that I should subject my son to him all the while wondering when Gabe's going to get bored and leave? I did what I thought was right for Ethan." 

"Right for Ethan? Or for yourself?" Dean said seriously, "After you left, he was in pretty bad shape. I couldn't even kick his ass because I felt bad for him. Cut him a break."

"You think I left him?" 

"Well didn't you?"

"He left me!" Sloane clarified, "I woke up that next morning and he wasn't there. The man who you said 'doesn't run away from responsibility' ran away from me. Twice! "

"Sloane, I had no idea. I just figured the way he acted after...this whole time I thought it was all because you left him." Dean said surprising her by softening his tone.

"The only thing I left him, was my heart. Then I find out I was pregnant with a man's baby who I foolishly fell for but wanted nothing to do with me. It was easy saying it was a one night stand because I was already so disappointed in myself I didn't care what other people thought of me.

I didn't stay away because I wanted too. I couldn't come back. I don't think I could've handled it if he left me again." 

Sloane sighed deeply following the purge of emotions she had just relieved herself of. It was a long time before either of them spoke.

"Sloane," Dean said hesitantly, "I know you don't want to hear this and I know that he hurt you, but you're going to have to tell him. I know you can't change the past, but you can change the future. Don't be like him and run away. Even though I'm sure he had his reasons."

"This coming from his best friend..." 

"This is coming from your brother." Dean corrected before starting in on her again.

She didn't have time for this. She needed to check in with Gigi.

She grabbed her phone and punched in Gigi's number. The phone droned and the display flashed 'No Signal'. Not again. 

Sloane walked across the kitchen to grab the house phone. Dialing Gigi's number, she furrowed her eyebrows in confusion when it went straight to voicemail. 

"What's the matter?" Dean said suddenly, pausing his lecture when he registered the concern on Sloane's face. 

"I don't know." She replied as she redialed Gigi's number again. 

Voicemail again. 

Shaking her head to refocus herself, she disconnected and called her voicemail. 

"You have one new voicemail." The automated system announced. When the system went on to announce the time stamp, Sloane went into full panic mode. It had to be wrong. The time stamp on the voicemail was from the middle of the night. As Gigi's voicemail started to play, Sloane released the breath she had been holding. 

"Breathe woman, everything is fine. I know it's late but I wanted to check in before we board. I hate to do this to you but something has come up and I have get home before Daddy makes a colossal mistake. I'll explain more when we land. Hold on someone wants to say hi." 

"Mommy? Hello Mommy? Aun' Gigi, Mommy isn't on here. Oooh...okay." Sloane's heart swelled upon hearing her son's voice. In one breath he continued, "Guess. What. Mom? I git to ride in a big plane! Do you know Myles High? I heard Aun' Gigi talkin' bout him. She says you know him but I dunno him. And he has a club! What? I'm not done. Aun' Gigi is grabbing the phone away. I gotta go. Love you Mommy!" 

"You know I was just kidding about that little Mile High thing," Gigi said as she got back on the phone, "Speaking of naughty, I do plan on getting the details about last night - so be ready. See you in a couple of hours." 

Sloane sat there blinking away the tears that had formed in her eyes. Today would mark the longest she'd ever been away from him, she missed him so much. Ethan's excited little voice seemed to remedy the morning she'd been having. 




Liar Ch. 06



Then she registered what the voicemail said.

With her mind racing a mile a minute, she replayed Gigi's message, "...I'll explain more when we land...see you in a couple hours." 

Gigi was on her way to Reston. With Ethan. 

****

"Hey there Mr. Bennett." Jude said coming up behind him at the counter at the convenience store.

"Oh hey there Jude what brings you out here?"

"Just picking up the necessities for the usual Sunday football gathering at Gabe's." Jude replied lifting the beer he carried, "And yourself? What brings you out on this fine Sunday day." 

"Candy." he replied. 

"Always a good reason for a trip. How's the misses?" 

"She's good. In the car with one of Sloanie's California friends." 

"Lady friend?" Jude said wiggling his eyebrows. 

"Yep." Mr. Bennett replied, before lowering his voice, "Lord knows I only got eyes for Mrs. Bennett, but if Sloanie's friend ain't a stone cold fox, then I don't know what is." 

"Foxes are cool! I like foxes. Mom said I could be a fox for Halloween. I can spell fox! F-O-X." 

Jude looked down to see a little boy crouched in front of the candy display contemplating all his choices. He didn't know how he missed him earlier. 

"Grampa. Mom never lets me chose my own candy. There's so many. I can't choose. " 

"My grandson." Mr. Bennett explained when Jude sent him a puzzling look. He directed his attention back to his grandson, "Well then pick whatever ones you want Ethan." 

"Awesome!" Ethan said with a slight lisp before proceeding to horde more candy bars than anyone could possibly consume. 

"Did Rome have another one?" Jude asked. 

"No." Mr. Bennett said amused by his grandson, "This is Sloane's little boy." 

The admission floored Jude. 

Sloane had a baby? 

When did Sloane have a baby? 

"I didn't even know she had-" Jude started to say when he looked down at the tiny boy again. Just then Sloane's son looked up at him, "Oh my god." 

"Exactly what I said." 

That's why she never came back! Little Sloane had a big secret. 

"Does...does he know?" Jude asked hesitantly. 

"No, but I imagine it's only a matter of time." Mr. Bennett said right before Jude heard the little boy pipe up.

"'Scuse me mister," Jude blinked. Mini Gabe was speaking to him, "Are you Myles High?" 

"Pardon?" Jude said, clearing his throat. 

"Are you Myles High?" 

"No." Jude replied confused, "I'm Jude."

"Oh." He said deflated, "I heard my Aun' Gigi talkin' about him on the way here. She says Myles has a club. But she said it's only for big boys. I'm a big boy." 

Myles High? Club? Jude thought confused before laughing when he finally connected the two. 

"Do you have any idea what he's talking about?" Mr. Bennett asked Jude after he calmed down, "Ethan's been on and on about him since he got here." 

"No. Not a clue sir." Jude said clearing his throat, "I think I want to meet this Aun' Gigi."



Liar Ch. 07



"What happened?" Dean asked after Sloane hung up the phone, "Is everything okay?"

"No...that was Gigi." She replied distracted.

"Gigi? Is there something wrong with Ethan?"

"No, no..." Sloane said shaking her head and meeting her brother's concerned gaze, "Ethan's fine. She's on her way here to drop Ethan off before she goes home."

Dean breathed out a sigh of relief upon hearing Ethan was okay only to suck it in just as quickly, "Wait...Gigi's on her way here? Here as in Reston? With Ethan?"

Sloane fought to register the nightmare that was becoming her reality. If she didn't have the overwhelming sensation to fall to the floor and curl into a ball, she might've laughed at the situation. Somehow her careful and strategically planned visit had turned into a catastrophe.

She inhaled deeply and nodded her head in confirmation.

Dean looked at her, letting his lips form an 'O'.

"Well that...can't be good for you." Dean said delivering the understatement of the year, "Are you going to tell him now?"

"I don't know." Sloane replied quietly, distracted by her thoughts.

Twenty-four hours ago, her biggest worry about coming back to Reston was running into Gabe. Been there, done that...and boy did they do it. Running into Gabe was a cake walk compared to what she was going to have to do.

"Sloane..." Dean started, his tone notably irritated.

"Dean! Please, I-I know what I need to do, just..." She trailed off trying to compose herself. She didn't want to yell at Dean, he was just telling her what she refused to all these years, "Just please give me a minute okay? I will...figure it out, okay?"

"Well you better and quickly. You may have forgotten, but this town is small. All it takes is for one person to see your son."

"I know." Sloane clipped.

Dean looked at his sister hard. As brave as was trying to sound, she looked scared.

A part of him knew she deserved to feel that way but the brotherly side of him wanted to protect her from the incoming storm that was about to hit her. If he knew Gabe, which he did, he was not going to take this well. No one in Gabe's position would.

Dean shook his head. He couldn't understand how two perfectly sane and sensible people could do extremely demented things when they're within the same vicinity.

As pissed as he was at Sloane's sheer stupidity, he had to remind himself that Gabe had messed up too. He wasn't there for her when she needed him the most, he wasn't going to let that happen again.

Dean sighed raggedly and ran his hand through his hair, "Alright, look. Even though you are extremely, extremely in the wrong, you're still my little sister. Whatever you decide, I got your back. Although I seriously advise you to tell Mom and Dad before they get here."

Sloane looked at her brother and smiled wearily. Before she could respond, their father's voice boomed after the door slammed open.

"Sloane! Get down here right now, young lady!"

"Not now Noah." She heard her mom say in a hushed tone.

"Oh yes, right now." he replied heatedly, "Sloane Jolene Bennett! Now!"

Young lady?

Full name?

This wasn't going to be good..

"Calm down, I'm right here." Sloane said as she turned the corner.

Sloane stopped dead in her tracks when she saw the look on her father's face. She couldn't quite read it, but it wasn't the he look of disappointment he usually gave her.

"You have some explaining to do." he said.

"What did I-" Sloane said just before a dark haired, ball of energy squirmed his way under her dad's arm and launched his 3'5" body at her.

"Mommy!" Ethan exclaimed, jumping up and wrapping his skinny arms and legs around her neck and waist.

"You're here!" Sloane said hugging him close, burying her nose in his dark hair.

He smelled like chocolate, peanut butter, and peppermints. It was amazing how relieved she felt just having him in her arms. His presence seemed to remedy her nerves slightly before the reality set in that he was actually here. She looked at Gigi, who had just walked through the door, "Already?"

"When I couldn't get you on your mobile, I called the house number that you had left with Miss Jacobs-."

"And imagine my shock when I answered the phone to discover that Georgina and Ethan were in town and stuck at that airport." Her mother said, picking up in the middle of Gigi's story, "She insisted on having you pick her up, but of course your father and I couldn't just leave them there."

"How nice." Sloane said wryly.

"Oh honey, don't frown. We couldn't very well wait for you to wake up. You got home so late last night, who knows when that would've been." Her mom replied as Sloane ignored Gigi cocked eyebrow.

"Good you guys are back! Mom and Dad, I'm borrowing your luggage. Brodie is packing up a storm--"

"Uncle Dean!" Ethan cried, squirming out of Sloane's arms to run to him.

"Look at you!" Dean laughed leaning down to swoop Ethan up with a feigned grunt, "Oh my back...you're getting so heavy. You're such a big boy now!"

"Oh please don't say that..." Gigi muttered.

"A big boy?" Ethan said before Gigi could finish. He looked between Dean and Gigi, "I told you Aun' Gigi. Now yer gonna hafta take me."

"Take you where?" Dean asked Gigi.

Gigi hesitated as her eyes darted between Dean, Sloane, her parents then back to Sloane again.

"Well...uh...see what had happened was--"

"Aun' Gigi's friend has a club." Ethan said, his green eyes growing huge with excitement, "A big boy club..."

"A big boys only club?" Dean replied, exaggerating his tone to match Ethan's excitement one.

"Yeah! But Aun' Gigi is a girl and Dude said he'd take her whenever she wanted."

"Dude?" Dean asked, completely confused now.

'Jude' Gigi mouthed to Sloane.

"Yeah, Dude! He says he was yer friend." Ethan said, before lowering his voice as if he was telling Dean a secret, "He was givin' Aun' Gigi the eyes."

"The eyes?"

"The eyes." Ethan replied as if everyone understood his five year old babbling, "The eyes that Liam gives Mommy."

"Uh...I think we've heard enough for today." Sloane interrupted, realizing where the story was headed.

"But Mom I wanted to see Myles..." Ethan whined.

"Ethan." Sloane said sternly, giving him a serious look.

"How about we go upstairs and look for Grandma and Grandpa's luggage?" Dean interrupted when he saw that Ethan was about to cry.

"Okay!" Ethan replied excitedly.

Sloane could only shake her head as she watched Dean and Ethan go up the stairs. She was slightly jealous of her son's emotional rebound rate. What she wouldn't give for an ounce of it, cause she could certainly use it now.

"I told you Josie."

Sloane heard her father say, drawing her attention to the conversation he was having with her mother behind her.

"Dean saw it too. Our grandson looks just like the Jennings boy."

"We will talk about this later." 

"But--"

"I said later." Her mother clipped, successfully shutting down the large man Sloane knew as her father. Her mother then shot her an equally chilling look. "Isn't that right, Sloane?"

She was in deep shit.

"Right." Sloane choked out, before looking at her father, "I promise."

"There, see? I told you. She'll explain everything. Now we need to go to the market, we're going to need more groceries for dinner tonight."

"Yes dear." her father replied before following his wife out the front door.

Sloane inhaled deeply, before turning and looking at Gigi. Gigi must've misinterpreted the look she gave her because she immediately started rambling.

"Oh god, I'm so sorry Sloane. I didn't know what to do. Daddy is about to sell his company to this...this...this prick! So I booked a flight immediately only to find out that the bleeding meeting was postponed because the tosser's secretary scheduled the meeting the same weekend as some personal matter he needed to attend so I don't even need to be there until later this week." Gigi inhaled sharply to get air into her lungs and continued, "We should've flown back. I didn't even realize he looked so much like Gabe until your dad said something. I am sorry. I am so sorry--"

"Gigi, stop. Stop. Really its okay." Sloane said soothingly, "You have nothing to be sorry about. You did the right thing. With my grandparents here for the wedding, I don't know who else would've watched him."

"There's always Liam." Gigi shrugged, "I'm sure he would have no problems assisting you in any way, shape, or form."

Liam Mason was a single father that lived in the same building as Sloane. His wife had left him and their daughter after discovering that motherhood wasn't something that suited her. Sloane sympathized with the man and figured that he could provide a fatherly figure for Ethan, as she provided a motherly figure for Jenny, his daughter.

She knew Liam had feelings for her, but she didn't allow herself to press the issue. Between Ethan and work her scheduled was locked down.

"I mean that in the physical sense." Gigi unnecessarily clarified.

"I caught that."

"Just making sure."

"Thanks." Sloane smiled wearily at her attempt to make her feel better, "I couldn't ask him to do that, I already feel like crap passing my son around for everyone to watch."

"Love, it was just for one night." Gigi comforted, "You're allowed a break and trust me...I have a new found respect for you."

Sloane looked at Gigi. Only then did she realize that her usual put together appearance was...less than par. Ethan was a handful, she could only imagine how last night had went between the two.

"Thanks for watching Ethan on such sort notice last night." Sloane said, "I think you've more than earned the boots."

Despite the silence that enveloped them, the sound of her life crashing down around her was deafening. 

A small voice in the back of her mind told her that all wasn't lost. She and Ethan could still take the first flight out of here and go back to California. Back to the way things were. Where things were easier and where Gabe was none the wiser about the son they shared.

No.

Sloane was tired. Tired of lying to her family. Tired of lying to Gabe. Tired of running. It was only twenty-four hours, but it was long enough for Sloane to realize that it was a mistake staying away.

All those years ago, she'd let her fear of getting hurt and facing Gabe cripple her usual level-headedness. She had chosen to stay away and she knew what it would cost her. What she never expected was how much it'd cost her son, the only one in this whole messed up situation that was innocent.

Ethan had missed out on her family, one that was standing by her even though she had deceived them. Worse, the love of his father. Gabe may have walked away from her that morning, but she's the one that stayed away.

"Are you okay?" Gigi's asked drawing out of her thoughts.

"Not really."

Gigi didn't have to ask to know what was running through her mind, "Do you want me to go with you?"

Sloane couldn't say anything, but sniff and shake her head.

It was time that owned up to her mistakes and take responsibility. Cause that's what Sloane was slowly beginning to realize...she had made a horrible, horrible mistake.

A mistake.

That's exactly what sleeping with Sloane had been. Incredibly hot, but a mistake. He was more sated then he had been in a long time, but again...a mistake. It wasn't that he didn't want to sleep with her, hell no, he wanted to.

Her taste.

Her scent.

Her smooth skin.

Her eyes...how they could go from bright and full of laughter to dark and heavy with lust in a fraction of a second. And that mouth...Sloane's mouth had his mind racing with all the naughty things she could do with it.

Gabe groaned when he realized that despite his cold shower he was still rock hard. He had hoped that the cool temperature would shock his body out of the constant state of arousal he'd been in since the night before, but clearly his cock had other ideas.

Annoyed, he cranked up the cold water and braced his hands against the wall of the shower. Gabe dropped his head down allowing the water to hit the back of his neck and travel down his spine.

He was a fool to think that one taste would be enough, but it never was. 

Sloane was an addiction. He was a recovering fiend. And last night he had a relapse. 

Control.

That's exactly what he needed.

Such a simple, yet completely foreign concept when matters involved Sloane.

Control and structure had been Gabe's life. Well professionally, that is. He had quit a perfectly good job with the Reston Police Department to become a private detective where he could be his own boss, call his own shots and make his own decisions. He needed that control. He almost strived for it. He just started his business a little over a year ago, and although business was good the last thing he needed was his focus to be disrupted by Sloane. 

She knew him and whether or not she did it intentionally, she seemed to use it to her full advantage. She constantly riled him up, called him out on his bullshit and refused to let him get away with anything that he would be able to with any one else. She always had to get the last word in. Knowing exactly what to say with that pretty mouth of hers to push him past the point of no return, to the dangerous place where he didn't know whether to throttle her or fuck her..

The woman was a contradiction, all come fuck me one minute and hands off the next. Her fire and ice mood swings were something to be reckoned with. 

She overloaded his senses. She overwhelmed him. She frustrated him.

She messed with his judgment. He was damn good detective because he was level-headed, went with his gut instinct, and made smart, concise decisions when he needed to. However, all the logic and reason flew out the window once his animalistic urges surfaced invoked by Sloane. It wasn't anything new, it was the same feelings he always struggled with when it came to her. The urge to possess and dominate her overwhelmed him. It was all that he could think of. It consumed him. 

It made him feel helpless, out of control...left him unfocused. Caused him to make judgment errors, missing simple details...things that if he paid more attention to them, he would've read them for what they were a hell of a lot sooner.

Sloane was hiding something.

He thought back to her skittish behavior, their conversation from the night before, her one-worded answers anytime he'd ask her about California before quickly turning the subject back on him...she was good, but he was a detective, it was his job to catch these things.

The only question that remained was what was he going to do about it?

It would be nothing for him to do a background check on her. He wasn't going to lie, the thought of looking Sloane up had crossed his mind on more than one occasion, but he couldn't bring himself to do it. Aside from the work that his father and his associates threw his way, Gabe liked to keep his business life and personal life separate. Any personal cases he let his partner handle. Who was he to dig into her past and see what she was hiding anyways?

Her stricken faced flashed in his mind and it was all Gabe needed to give him the good sense to cut his losses and finally let Sloane go. He had already caused her enough pain and after all this time he still didn't know how he felt about her. 

She had been right last night, no matter how right for each other they were sexually, they had a lot of issues. He'd managed to get by just fine without her all these years, he'd just have to suck it up and do it again.

'She's just a woman' Gabe told himself despite hearing the small voice in the back of his mind telling him that Sloane was more than that. A lot more.

He was drawn out of his thoughts when he heard someone banging on his front door. With a huff as he shut the water off and ripped open the shower curtain.

"Hold on." Gabe shouted when the pounding sounded again urgently.

He quickly wrapped a towel around his waist and made his way to the door leaving a trail of watery footprints in his wake. Swinging the door open, the last thing he expected, or needed, was standing on the other side of the door dressed in a simple white cotton mini dress falling mid-thigh and slouchy brown boots.

"How'd you know where I lived?" Gabe asked surprised.

Whatever Sloane had been planning to say died in her mouth as she looked up and down his towel-clad body. Gabe did the same wondering when the girl who swore to always and forever wear sweats, had learned to dress herself. Her dark hair was tied back and off her make-up less showcasing her flawless features. 

She was gorgeous.

"Dean gave me directions," Sloane replied. 

When she turned her big green eyes up at him he noticed that they were slightly puffy and red as if she had been crying.

"Are you okay?" Gabe asked.

"Can we talk?"

"Is this about last night?" 

"No." she interrupted curtly before staring at him.

"Do you want to come in?"

"Uh..." Sloane hesitated "S-sure."

He moved back to let her pass and couldn't help but appreciate her backside. His gaze zoned in on the exposed flesh between her calves and the back of her thighs, wondering when the back of knees became such a damn turn on.

He wanted to touch them and see if she was ticklish. He wanted to lick him. He wanted to...rip his eyes away..

Control, he reminded himself. he needed control.

He watched as she shameless sized up his home.

"Very..." She said with a shrug as she turned back to him, "Neat."

Neat? His place was the epitome of a bachelor pad and he took great pride in it. If she meant neat as in clean and in order, then yes, it was neat. 

His expression must've given away his offense, because she was staring at him comically.

"Don't look like wounded kitten. You're place is amazing. I only meant that I wish my apartment was a neat and tidy as yours. You should see mine, Ethan is a terror. It's impossible to keep-" Sloane stopped abruptly and cleared her throat.

Gabe tensed at the mention of his name. Ethan. The 'friend'. He'd forgotten about him. A friend who was obviously serious enough to be living together. He looked back into her red-rimmed eyes, finally putting the pieces of the puzzle together. 

Of course Sloane was upset. She had cheated on her boyfriend with him.

"Make yourself comfortable," Gabe said restrained, despite his flailing jealousy, "Give me a minute to change."

'This was a bad idea.' Sloane thought as she watched Gabe disappear down the hallway.

Here, in his domain, she was at his mercy. She had to remind herself that she had to do it here. She sure as hell didn't want Ethan anywhere near him when he exploded, which she predicted he would.

"Deep breaths...deep breaths..." Sloane chanted quietly to calm herself.

She had deviated from the plan the moment she stepped inside his house. The plan was so simple. How hard was it to stay on the porch where there were plenty of witnesses and deliver the speech she had practiced the last six years and the entire drive over here?

It was so simple and so easy...and it was shot to hell the moment Gabe opened the front door wearing only a towel. God, he was so hot and so clueless. 

She was barely holding it together. Her palms were sweaty. She was jumping at his every word. She felt like she was going to throw up. She couldn't do this.

Just as she reached the front door, Gabe's voice caused her to jump out of her skin. 

"You're leaving already?" 

"No." she squeaked out, whipping around in time to see him coming down the hallway. 

He had changed into loose black basketball shorts and tee-shirt with the sleeves cut off, proudly displaying his strong, muscular arms. Muscular arms that ended in powerful hands, big enough to fit around her neck and choke the life out of her. 




Liar Ch. 07



Sloane felt herself start fidgeting with the car keys and despite her mind screaming at her stop she couldn't. She looked down at her hands hoping her eyes would will them to do what her mind couldn't.

"Sloane..." Gabe said hesitantly. When she looked at him, he saw fear in her eyes before she blinked it away and clasped her hands together, "Are you okay?"

Despite asking this, Gabe already knew the answer.

Something was wrong. He knew it...he felt it. 

"There's no easy way to say this." Sloane said wearily, her voice shaking.

She felt a hot tear roll down her cheek and wanted to kick herself.

She wanted-no, needed to be strong. She didn't want Gabe to misconstrue her tears as weakness. 

"Sloane?" Gabe said moving towards her, "Are you crying?"

"Stop-" She cried, holding hands out in front of her to stop him, "Don't. Please don't come closer."

"Well then what is it?"

"Ethan..." Sloane started to say before Gabe erupted.

"I knew it. That's what this is about?" Gabe shouted incredulously "I am so fucking tired of hearing about this Ethan. Obviously you don't care that much about him if you're fucking me at the first given opportunity."

Sloane just blinked at him.

"Ethan is my son."

Gabe's mind raced to comprehend the words she had just said. He started laughing suddenly drawing an even more confused look from Sloane. He breathed in a sigh of relief. 

Ethan is only her son. 

"I thought Ethan was your boyfriend..."

"I realize that." Sloane replied.

"But he's your son." Gabe replied still chuckling.

"And yours." Sloane blurted out before going wide-eyed.

Gabe's head snapped back so hard, she thought that he had given himself whiplash. Sloane froze. She could honestly say that in the million scenarios that she had envisioned telling Gabe about their son, that was definitely not one of them. 

"Run that by me one more time."

"Ethan..." she whispered, "...is yours." 

"But I don't have any children." 

"That you know of." Sloane blurted out again before cringing. 

This was going really bad. 

"This isn't time for your fucking jokes Sloane. If you're bullshitting me-" Gabe stared at Sloane realizing that she was dead serious. 

He looked at the wall for a long time, trying to formulate words.

"I...have...a son?" 

Sloane bit her lip and nodded. 

"And you didn't tell me."

It wasn't a question. Sloane looked at him helplessly as he looked at her with complete disgust. His knuckles were turning white from his death grip he had on the couch.

She closed her eyes and nodded again, "I'm so sorry-."

"What the fuck Sloane!" Gabe erupted before shooting out of his seat to pace his living room.

Sloane just stood there by the door watching him. Paralyzed, confused, and miserable. 

Good thing the wall was there to support her or she would've fallen to the floor. As she watched him, she couldn't help the strained, awkward laugh that escaped her throat contradicting the tears that flowed down her cheeks. As horrible as the situation was, she couldn't deny the feeling of relief that washed over her. 

Gabe shot her a glare that could've iced the sun. 

"But how? What...? I can't...you're such a..." He spouted out unintelligibly as he spoke with his hands. He stopped and looked at her, "Why now? Why tell me now?" 

"Cause...he's here." 

"He's here?" Gabe said moving to the front window, "Now?"

"Not here as in here . He's with my parents."

"They knew about this? They knew he was mine?" Gabe snorted, fighting the feeling of betrayal from people he considered to be his second family. 

Well, technically he could drop the 'consider' part now.

"They didn't at first, but then they saw him."

"Who else knew about this before me?"

"Gigi."

"Who the fuck is Gigi?" Gabe asked, but he didn't wait for an answer, "Who else?" 

"They ran into Jude this morning, so I assume he knows. And Dean."

"Dean knew and didn't tell me?" Gabe roared.

Sloane winced before responding, "He didn't know until last night. He found a picture of him and knew immediately, well strongly suspected who the father was." 

"He...he looks that much like me?" Gabe said withdrawn, a little touched by the admission.

Sloane nodded.

"Do you have it?"

"Have what?"

"The damn picture!"

Sloane rifled through her purse, pulling it out. As she walked cautiously towards him, she could feel the tension and anger that radiated off of him increase with every step. She handed him the picture letting her eyes meet with his briefly before diverting them to the ground.

Gabe looked at the picture feeling a strange feeling in his heart.

He was a father. 

He sighed raggedly and retreated to the kitchen.

Sloane heard the cupboards opening and closing before he returned with a bottle of whiskey and a glass. He slammed the contents on the coffee table before pouring him a glass and quickly downing it.

'It's 5 o'clock somewhere', he thought as he hurriedly poured himself another and tossed it back just as quickly.

He turned his attention back to Sloane who hadn't moved from her post by the door.

"Sit." He commanded.

Sloane knew better than to argue. She hesitantly made her way towards him, taking the seat on the other side of the coffee table. She watched as he poured himself another drink.

"Shouldn't you slow down?" Sloane asked meekly. 

Gabe just glared at her daringly and tossed it back. His eyes never leaving hers. He poured another and slid it across to her aggressively causing some of it to slosh over.

"Drink it."

"I-uh..."

"Now!" Gabe barked.

She picked it up, meeting his gaze then looking away. She downed it quickly and winced before coming up coughing. She ignored the smug smile on Gabe's face. 

It felt like an eternity before either spoke, when in reality it was probably a few seconds.

"Would you have even told me?"

She didn't know what to say, so she did the only thing she could - tell the truth.

"If Ethan needed to know or wanted..." Sloane started to say, "I don't know."

"Do you realize how corrupt that sounds? Even for you?"

"I didn't think you'd care."

"You're so full of shit."

"I understand you're mad, you have every reason to be. I was just doing what I thought was best for my son."

"Our son." Gabe corrected her, before feeling the rage explode in him again, " I can't believe you never once tried to tell me."

"I did!"

"When?"

"I called you. I left a message." 

It sounded weak coming out of her mouth, but it was the truth.

"A message! A message? " Gabe laughed sarcastically, "A fucking message...that's rich."

"Oh I forgot you prefer hand written notes." Sloane fired back at him.

"Don't even bring that up. This in no way compares to a fucking night of meaningless sex." Gabe retorted venomously.

She felt that remark. She looked at Gabe hurt only to find his expression anything but sympathetic. She couldn't blame him for his fury, so she steadied herself and wiped away a tear, "I know what I did was wrong but it made sense at the time. I didn't think-"

"Damn right you didn't think." Gabe spat back at her, "Until I figure out what kind of rights I have you better not go anywhere with my son."

"You can't be serious." Sloane said flippantly. 

"Oh I am being dead serious." 

"A child is a huge commitment!" 

"I know that."

"No, you don't" Sloane replied hearing her voice crack, "You have no idea what you're talking about. You have no idea of what kind of responsibility a child is."

"Well who's fault is that Sloane? How could I know?" The hurt laced in Gabe's tone broke her heart. She really messed up, " You robbed me of that the moment you decided to keep my son a secret from me."

"I made a mistake!" Sloane said defeated, "But you did too. You left me-."

"That argument is getting really old..." Gabe interrupted her, staring her straight in the eye, "I'm not blind, I see the resemblance but I want a DNA test." 

"He's yours." 

"I have to be sure. You gave it up so easy last night, who knows who else you've slept with." 

That was it. 

She understood his fury. She knew it wasn't going to be easy, but there was only so much that she could take. 

"Fuck you Gabe." Sloane said getting up to leave, "He's yours. I wouldn't lie about that." 

"That's right, you only lie by omission. I forgot." Gabe retorted following her. 

Sloane reached for the door only to have Gabe hold it shut with his hand. 

Sloane felt his body heat on hers, she didn't dare turn around.. 

"I want to leave." She said staring at the door knob. 

"What do you expect Sloane? Did you think you could drop something like this on me and expect me not to react?" Gabe said, his voice low and dangerous, "I don't give a shit what you do. Leave, for all I care, but you better not go anywhere with my son. Don't even try or I will hit you with everything-" 

"Don't threaten me, Gabe." Sloane said, finding her strength. Her instincts kicked in at the prospect of being threatened. 

She spun around to find him standing extremely close. She tried to retreat away from him only to find her back already against the door. She stared up at him to see his eyes burning down into hers.

They stood there in defiant silence daring the other to say something further. Sloane could smell the liquor on his breath and for a split second Sloane thought he was going to kiss her, instead he dropped his hand to let her go.

Sloane opened the door and thought she was home free when Gabe gripped her wrist and dragged her against him, dropping his head and kiss her hard.

Despite the harshness, Sloane felt the kiss in her toes. She whimpered and just as quick as it started Gabe released her.

"Just to warn you, I am just getting started. You'll be lucky if I let you see him after this is over."

"Over my dead body." Sloane said breathily, pissed at herself for letting herself feel anything by his kiss. She ripped her hand away from his and hurried down the stairs.

"Don't give me any ideas."