Beautiful Betrayal (The Ravenhead Corporation Book Two Read online

  I stared down at the brown Louis Vuitton shoe I was currently holding. Her face kept popping up in my head. Those pretty golden hues looking up from beneath me as I had driven myself into her last night. Why couldn’t get them out of my head? Guilt started to creep in and it was definitely not a feeling I liked, but it hovered there, reminding me of my past. I slipped the shoe on and as I tied it off I looked up and stared at myself in the large mirror that stood in the corner of the bedroom.

  The need to see this woman again, just one more time, was fierce. Maybe if I got my fill of her, I could get rid of her. Frustrated at myself and at the circumstances, I tugged my other shoe on and stood. I stared at my appearance in the mirror, jeans and a dress shirt, a slipped on a black overcoat and draped a blue cashmere scarf around my neck. Avoiding my own eyes, I focused on tying the Parisian knot making sure the ends were even. I finally looked up at myself and flinched.

  Who the fuck was I kidding? I'd never had a woman like that in my life. Her touch was everything I was looking for, with one touch one fucking word she had disarmed me. The beauty had me yearning for more and I knew I was bound to give in to these urges if I didn't preoccupy my mind soon.

  2

  MAXWELL

  “So, what’s the problem exactly?” I stared at Drake who looked like a tiger pacing his cage.

  “The problem is you didn’t run it by me. I needed to perform security and background checks for her. You can’t just hire someone like that and not run it past me.”

  “First of all, she comes highly recommended by a trusted source.”

  “A source I know nothing about!”

  I sighed and nodded. “Fine. I’m not in the mood to argue with you, Archer. I just want to make sure she is able to start working.”

  “Do you even know her? Have you met her?”

  "She's an intern from Oxford University, of course, I haven't met her!"

  “Unbelievable!” I watched as he dragged his hand through his hair, a tick that signaled he was in a mood and at any moment he might go to spare, eager for a fight.

  “She comes recommended by an old friend, a University Professor in Oxford. William Marx, look him up if you want. She’s a smart young lady with a bright future ahead of her. He asked me as a favor to take her under my wing.”

  Drake plopped down in his chair and stared at me, his gaze almost menacing. “I want her information on my desk ASAP. I’m not playing with you, Cunningham. If I find anything, anything at all on her background, she’s not coming on.”

  “You won’t find a thing.”

  “How can you be so sure?”

  I stared him down, I wasn’t afraid of Drake Archer, on the contrary, he irritated the bloody fuck out of me. “You’re making this worse than it actually is. You know that, right?”

  Drake leaned in, his jaw clenching in anger. “When one of yours is ever threatened, then come to me and tell me if I’m exaggerating. I need her information on my desk in the next thirty minutes.”

  I slammed my hands down on the desk and stormed out of the office. It was always the same with Drake and me, we couldn't stand being near each other. A battle of testosterone, I suppose. I hated giving into his wiles so easily, but deep down I knew he was right. I knew nothing of my new employee, she could easily be the threat we were trying to keep out and I was letting her in. Then again, she could simply be a student, eager to learn and I was willing to give her a chance. Maybe even give her a job if she was as smart as they said she was.

  I sat behind my desk and opened up the file William had sent me. I hadn’t had a chance to open it, but I never saw the need to. I fully trusted my friend. I’d grown up with him, we were mates in school, fuck I’d been the best man at his wedding there was absolutely no way he’d ever...

  My mind went blank as her name popped up followed immediately by her file. I sat up in my seat and stared back at the photograph.

  “No. It couldn’t be,” I whispered to myself and continued to read her file. Victoria Petrov, Suma Kum Laude, studied Chemical Engineering. She was top of her class for sure and Valedictorian of her graduating class. She also had the softest lips, the sexiest legs and the most perfect set of tits I’d ever come across.

  My cock groaned as I stared at that pair of amber hues that had been driving me crazy all morning. It sure was a small world indeed. My beauty was going to be working with me, beneath me on top of me, any which way I bloody well wanted her.

  “Fuck,” I passed a hand down my chin, frowning as I thought of the consequences. I couldn’t touch her, it wasn’t ethical. What had happened was a fluke of destiny. She had no idea who I was and in her mind, neither did I. It wasn’t either of our faults.

  I adjusted myself, groaning as my cock throbbed in my slacks. Just the thought of seeing her again made my body react. I had a feeling this wasn’t going to go well, not for either of us. We had to keep what had happened to a one time occasion, and we had to remain silent about it. If Archer or Lucian got wind of it, they’d take her away from me and I couldn’t let that happen. Not until I found out exactly what it was about her that pulled me in so badly. As long as I could keep her close, I’d be satisfied.

  I reached out and touched the screen, outlining those familiar eyes and those pretty lips. God, she was beautiful. Not at all like my Grace. My Grace was soft and pretty, she was innocent and sweet. But not Victoria, the beauty was full of lush curves and sensual wiles. She was a goddess in every way. She also acted like one. Frailty and Strength clashed into one gorgeous package.

  I closed my eyes and hung my head. Grace was my first love, my first everything and I suddenly had this feeling, like I was betraying her. Like I should not be looking at another woman, but this woman…this woman was drawing me in like no other. There was something about her that made me want to protect her, want to keep her close to me.

  I closed my eyes and taking a deep breath, I sent the file to Drake. I was going on faith that I wasn't making a huge mistake here.

  I was impatient, pacing the conference room. Both Lucian and Drake sat there following my steps.

  “Could you please, sit?” Lucian halted me and I looked over at both men who had their brows arched and were looking up at me, curiosity in their eyes.

  “Nervous much?” Drake smirked.

  I frowned at him and was about to take a seat when there was a knock at the door. I froze and stared at it as if it were about to release a Lion or maybe a beautiful Tigress. I didn’t realize I was holding my breath, or that I was hovering over my seat like an idiot. It had been a whole week since I’d last seen her and fuck did she looked good as she walked in, ushered in by Lucian’s assistant. She smiled at Lucian and Drake, but when her eyes met mine that beautiful smile faltered, and recognition shown in her features. It was a brief pause, but it was long enough for me to see it.

  “Miss Petrov, it is a pleasure.” Lucian stood and welcomed her, shaking her hand and gesturing for her to take a seat. She immediately got herself together and went into professional mode.

  “Mr. Steele, it’s a delight to meet you in person.”

  “We’ve heard great things about your work, Miss Petrov. My understanding is that you are here to learn from one of our best.”

  She nodded and smiled. A bright smile that lit up those honey brown eyes of hers. “Yes, Maxwell Cunningham. Is he here?”

  I looked up and frowned. “You don’t know who he is?”

  "I'm afraid that with the end of classes I never did get a chance to look over the files Professor Marx had sent over. Most of my information got to me from my Professor."

  Drake smirked and I managed to kick him under the table. His grunt of pain was satisfying enough for me. Lucian smiled at her and gestured to me. “Would you like to introduce yourself?”

  Her bright eyes stared back at me, and I could sense her nervousness. “Miss Petrov it’s a pleasure to meet you. I’m Maxwell Cunningham.”

  She gasped and brought her hand to her mouth in shock.r />
  Drake leaned in. “Are you alright, Miss?”

  “Y-yes. Yes, I’m fine. I just didn’t expect you to be so...young.”

  “I’m a lot older than you think. Thirty-eight to your twenty-three.”

  “Yes, of course,” she looked down at her lap as her cheeks blushed a bright pink.

  My eyes narrowed on her, wondering if she was just good at acting or she honestly did not realize who I was. I never gave her my last name, but she damn well knew how to moan my first name.

  Lucian stood and made his way towards the door. “Well, it seems you both have a lot to catch up on. Both Mr. Archer and I will leave you to it. Treat her well, Maxwell. Make us look good.” He winked at me and I stared at them both as they made their way out. The door shut, with a resounding thud, leaving us alone.

  Silence hung between us and I didn't really know what to say to her. I had planned what to say, but at that moment I could barely breathe let alone think.

  “So you’re Professor Marx’s friend?”

  "Yes," I cleared my throat. "Yes. He's an old friend of mine and my…" I paused, almost saying her name, but instead, I changed the subject. I didn't want to mention Grace at the moment. Mentioning her would make me admit to having had someone. Someone I missed. "We met a long time ago and have been through a lot together."

  She watched me carefully. “I see,” she whispered, and my eyes met hers.

  “Did you really not realize it was me?”

  “I didn’t what to say anything that might give us away, right then.”

  I nodded, fully understanding the situation we both found ourselves in. “If I would have known…”

  “Of course. I completely agree.” She answered quickly, knowing exactly what my meaning entailed. If I would have known this would never have happened.

  I nodded. “Good.”

  “When did you find out?” She asked curiously.

  “This morning. I hadn’t looked at your file yet. I should have looked.”

  She nodded. “I understand. Well, either way, it was a one-time thing. It won’t happen again.”

  She was firm in her response and hearing it from her lips irked me. “Oh?”

  “Yes, we couldn’t possibly revisit that.”

  “Was it so bad?”

  She blushed that bright pink and I remembered the soft pink of her nipples turning bright as I sucked on them. My cock twitched and I closed my eyes trying to keep my dirty thoughts at bay.

  “It wasn’t bad. It just won’t happen again. I’m not here for a relationship, Mr. Cunningham. It’s unfortunate what has happened, but unlike what you might think of me, I came here to work…”

  “Unfortunate?” I asked, getting upset at her choice of words. I was slowly taking the small strides toward her end of the table. “Was it so unfortunate for you, Miss Petrov?”

  Her lips opened and closed as she was clearly at a loss for words. “Nothing to say, Miss Petrov?” My voice was low and hoarse, I stared at her lips almost hypnotized. Reaching out I placed my thumb on her mouth and gently traced her bottom lip.

  “You were much more talkative when we first met, Miss Petrov.”

  I slowly dragged my fingers across her cheek and down her neckline, eager to stroke her soft skin. She licked at her lips and shivered slightly as I ran my fingertips along the dip in her collarbone. That's where she moaned for me the hardest when I licked and nibbled on that spot.

  “Mr. Cunningham, this is absolutely inappropriate,” she spoke breathlessly as she closed her eyes and slightly swayed towards me.

  The connection was made and I could tell I affected her as much as she did me. I was playing with fire and the flames were going to burn out of control.

  “Just one question, Miss Petrov.”

  Her eyes fluttered open and I smiled as I traced her cheekbones. “Yes, Mr. Cunningham.”

  “Why did you leave that morning?”

  She closed her eyes as I stepped into her space, my body was not listening to my brain. I needed to touch her, to feel her, and that’s what I did as I lightly ran my heated palm down her arm, goosebumps forming on her skin. We both looked down, following my hand as it reached her hand, lifting it and entwining our fingers together. She gasped softly at the electricity that coursed through us.

  “Answer me, Beautiful. Why did you leave?”

  Her eyes met mine, her lips slightly parted and as we looked at each other I knew the answer. It was my answer. She couldn’t stay. What we had was too powerful and she was afraid. She was too afraid to face me.

  “I…I don’t know,” she whispered instead and watched under hooded lashes as I kissed the palm of her hand.

  “That’s not good enough, Miss Petrov.”

  “Well, that’s all you’ll get, Mr. Cunningham.” She took her hand back abruptly and took a few steps back, putting space between us.

  I growled but kept my distance. If I touched her again I was afraid I'd take her again, right here on that damn conference table. My cock ached to do it and I was forcing myself to remain civil. That is until the next words flew out of her mouth.

  "Besides, I was only looking for a little fun that night. I'm sure you're familiar with that, Mr. Cunningham?"

  The challenge in her eyes made my blood boil and I wanted to show her just how familiar I was, but not with our actions, but how I had memorized each sigh, each shiver as I had fucked her that night. Without knowing what I was doing I reached for her, dragging her up against me, her tits smashing into my chest. Her hands rested on my chest and her body came alive in my arms.

  "Show me," I whispered into her hair.

  “What?” she breathed, almost panting as her heart raced.

  “Show me just how much fun you had that night.”

  “Max,” she whispered and the sound of my name on her lips drove me to my next unmeasured steps. To hell with sanity! I wanted this woman more than I ever wanted anyone. She was it, she was my missing piece. Blood coursed hotly between us and as my lips captured hers, her moan said it all.

  She wanted this just as much as I did, maybe even more than I did.

  3

  VICTORIA

  His lips were simultaneously hard and feathery soft and my body responded to his every touch in ways I didn't quite understand. He had this way about him, this oozing confidence that had me wanting him even more than before.

  When I walked into the office I was already expecting to see Max, the man I'd sought out for a night of pleasure. That night I was only supposed to seduce him. I'd always been good at seduction, which is why so many men sought me out. I was paid well for my acting skills and men would freely give anything up for me. Room keys, access to their laptops after a few drinks here and there, secrets they kept hidden from their wives, nothing more nothing less. Usually, I'd get what I was hired for and leave. But that night, that night was different.

  When I first saw him, I couldn't help but be attracted to him. He was tall, broad-shouldered, blonde and blue-eyed, and bloody fuck could he wear a suit, the man was dapper as fuck. When we met I couldn’t help but give into him and it became so easy to fall for whatever he was offering.

  I’m not sure why but I needed to feel something that night, I never mixed business with pleasure. I was a professional in every way, but there was something about him, I wouldn’t have been able to deny anything to Maxwell Cunningham even if I wanted to.

  It wasn't just his handsome features, he was different, not at all like the others. I was told he was evil, creating weapons of mass destruction. I could only assume he'd be just as disgusting as the men I've dealt with before and I had come prepared, but I wasn't prepared for him. The others were vile, uncultured men. Men who only wanted one thing from me, something I wouldn't give to them. No matter what they paid, I never gave in. I may have been a thief, but I wasn't selling my body no matter the price. I would get the information they needed and leave, if they wanted something else then they could go find it elsewhere. But they never did becau
se they knew I was the best. Max didn't scare me, he was kind, charming, smart. He was definitely not the type of man who ran around in my dark circles. No, Max was the cultured sort. The type of man I'd bring home to my mother if I had one.

  My job was very clear, gain access to Ravenhead and steal the information my dealers needed. What I didn't expect was coming across this man. Oh, he was a master of seduction and the more I played my part, the more I was intrigued by him. I wanted to get seduced by him, I wanted him to make me beg. I wanted to feel what only he could give me. Something more than the emptiness and loneliness I'd been feeling lately. And he did just that and more. He'd shaken me up and had shown me that there was more to just a simple feeling. There were passion and lust and this deep sense of fulfillment that had never been there before. All that from allowing this man to lie by my side.

  I’d left in the early hours, wanting to keep what had transpired between us as perfect as possible. No regrets, no questions. I was afraid that if we’d talk, we’d ruin what had happened between us, that I wouldn’t be able to complete my task without putting myself in jeopardy. The night was perfect as it was and I didn’t want that memory to be blemished.

  I knew I was bloody fucked when I couldn’t get him off my mind. I kept wondering if maybe one more night with him would suffice my need for his touch. But I’d kept away knowing that this day would come. Patiently, I waited for the call. When I didn’t hear from Ravenhead I thought, this is it, I’ll be the one to face the consequences and my father would die. A father I barely knew, but he was my only family. The only one in this world who carried my blood and I just couldn’t find it in me to let him down.