By Luck Page 7

  Gideon had freed the belt on her robe and the sides were slowly falling away from her body. He traced the lines of the fabric, as it revealed more and more of her body. “Do you want me to go?”

  Shannon stared up at him, trying to let his words sink in. She wanted to believe him. She really had no choice but to, because every other time a guy had said, “I’ll call you,” or, “Let’s take this to the next level,” or some other asinine thing that made her skin crawl and caused her to bolt, she’d known they were lying. She’d wanted them to be. She’d never felt like this about anyone, ever, and she knew he was the same way. Neither of them caught feelings. Feelings made things complicated.

  She closed her eyes and let the feeling of Gideon’s touch overwhelm her. She wanted to not think. She was tired of thinking. They could do this, be this, and not have to answer to anyone else. Just because their relationship didn’t fit into a typical relationship box didn’t mean it wasn’t right. She groaned with pleasure and spread her legs apart as she felt Gideon’s fingers trace down her thigh. She bit her lip and exhaled loudly before opening her eyes and staring at the man above her.

  “If you leave, I’d better never see you again.”

  Gideon’s only response was to move his hand to the apex of her thighs to find her warmth, and while rubbing a firm finger against the hood of her clit, he pressed his mouth against hers.

  Gideon couldn’t believe how excited he was. He’d had a lot of sex in his lifetime, and done some pretty freaky things. But this … this was new, and he was elated. “I’ve never gotten to watch myself pleasure a female without the help of a video camera before.”

  Shannon wriggled above him on the bed and lifted one eyebrow. “You never once brought one of the Frat Boy toys to bed?”

  Gideon shook his head. “Never owned one.”

  Shannon laughed. “I’m amazed.” Gideon’s heart thumped a little harder at her words. He grabbed her hips and pulled her back over his face. Gideon’s tongue glided over her core and she let out a deep moan that went straight to Gideon’s groin causing it to painfully swell, her pleasure bringing him pleasure. Shannon pushed herself to her knees. “Get up.”

  Gideon smiled and wiped the back of his hand across his face. He sat up. “Now’s your chance. Let’s both see what you’ve got.”

  He couldn’t take the pressure. His pants were too confining. He undid his belt and zipper leaving his cock room to thicken before picking up the Bad Boy. Shannon went to her back and obeyed dutifully as Gideon pressed the silicone head against her lips, opening her mouth and pulling it inside. Gideon watched as she altered her breathing to accommodate his size as he pushed the vibrator down her throat.

  Shannon’s eyes watered and Gideon leaned forward, licking the tears from her cheeks as he pulled the plastic cock from her mouth. Shannon bent her knees and spread her legs as Gideon handed her the silver phallus.

  Gideon watched as she brought the head to her clit and swirled it around in the juices he’d created with his mouth. He watched as she traced that head down through her lips and to her entrance, where she inserted just a tiny bit of the tip as she exhaled. Gideon licked his lips, focusing on her entrance and the way it stretched around his likeness. He imagined himself there at that opening, her opening for his width. He reached forward and slid his hands under her bottom, squeezing her ass firmly. “Further,” he said firmly.

  Shannon obeyed with a gasp as the dildo stretched her further. Gideon used his grip on her ass to help spread her opening. Shannon pulled it out about half way and wriggled on it. Gideon adjusted his hands and began to massage the area with his one thumb, placing his other hand on top of Shannon’s. “Breathe, baby.”

  And she did. Long and deep, she sucked in air and then let it out slowly. She took another big inhale and Gideon pushed on her hand, filling her with the silver cock and causing her to lift off the bed. Gideon didn’t give her long to adjust to the intrusion before he began pulling it back and pumping it back in, over and over, until Shannon caught on to the rhythm and was rocking back and forth on her own. Gideon smiled as he removed his hands and stood, pushing his pants down his body. Hot and flushed, Shannon was pink all over. She had never looked so amazing.

  “Gideon.” Shannon cried out, the sound cutting through him. Finally naked, he returned to her side.

  “Stop,” he said, but she didn’t listen. She continued to rock herself on the vibrator, desperately searching for release.

  Gideon halted her motion with his hand on top of hers. He slowly took control and pulled the silver cock from her depths. Shannon opened her eyes and shifted so she could see him better. Gideon smiled as their eyes connected and he moved to enter her body.

  Gideon felt his eyes close as he slid into her, her warmth wrapping around him. He went slowly at first, but as the pressure built in his belly he pumped faster and harder into her as she cried out for more. Her voice urged him on until he let himself go, climaxing while still sheathed in her warmth as her body milked his cock in mutual orgasm.

  Eight

  “So, what now?” Shannon asked, looking at Gideon as he stepped into his pants.

  He looked up at her. “Now we call New York and tell them how brilliant you are.”

  Shannon laughed. “That’s not what I mean.”

  Gideon sat on the bed next to her naked, sated body and twirled a piece of her hair around his finger. “I know.” He smiled. “And now … well, now we keep having sex because it’s fucking amazing.”

  Shannon ran a hand down his chest. “Right, but what do we do? What do we say to people?”

  Gideon stared deeply into her eyes. She hated and loved that he did that. It made her feel exposed and vulnerable; he was the only one that had ever looked that deep. It was a space the two of them shared that no one else could touch.

  “You and I aren’t like other people. I don’t think we can have a relationship like they do.”

  Shannon nodded.

  “So, can’t we just be this?” His eyes were boring into hers, causing her heart to flutter uncontrollably.

  “Like just sex?”

  Gideon nodded and her heart sank. “Yes, but no.”

  Her heart beat once again.

  “Sex, yes. But we can be this, you and me. Can’t we be how we are, and not worry about anyone else?”

  Shannon nodded.

  Gideon felt sleep begin to war with the feelings that were overtaking him. Relief, even if only temporary, settled over him. He fought the feelings, trying to remain in the moment. “We’ll call Amanda first thing in the morning.”

  Shannon woke to Gideon’s muffled, yet raised voice. Her body was achy from the night before, and she really wasn’t feeling like leaving the comfort and warmth of the bed. But Gideon’s voice continued to rise a couple octaves, so she thought she’d better check on him.

  She still wasn’t sure how she felt about their conversation from the night before. She was falling hard for him, and though she still hadn’t sorted it out in her own head she had been kind of hoping he’d had it all figured out and she could take his lead. No such luck.

  Her feet hit the carpet and she tip-toed over to the bathroom where she gently tapped on the door. She almost fell over as the door flew open and Gideon was suddenly standing there, naked, with his hand holding his phone right in front of her face.

  “Thank fuck! You talk to him. I can’t anymore.”

  Shannon took the phone and Gideon immediately went to pacing and clenching his hands into fists while muttering to himself.

  “Hello?”

  “Shannon, it’s Seth.”

  “Oh. Mr. Ellison, good morning.”

  “No. It’s Seth. I think we’re way past that Mr. thing, yes?”

  Shannon nodded, but then realized that he couldn’t see her so she spoke up. “Yes, sir. Sorry, sir.”

  “I’m going to ignore that sir so we can move on. Gideon wants to stay and finish out the convention, but we want you both on the jet within the ho
ur.”

  “How did you … ?” Shannon didn’t understand it. She and Gideon had decided that they’d call Amanda in the morning.

  “Your text to Julie. She got it when she woke up, and since all of us are the most intelligent beings on the planet, we put two and two together after many unanswered texts and phone calls.”

  Shannon caught herself nodding again. “Okay. We’ll get cleaned up and be at the airport as soon as possible.”

  “It’s not going to be that easy Shannon. Gideon loves Vegas. He’d live there if he could.”

  Shannon felt her body come alive like it hadn’t yet that morning. She had a mission, and the fact that it involved getting Gideon to do something he didn’t really want to … well, that was a perk. “Don’t you worry about Gideon, I’ll take care of him. See you soon.” Shannon touched the end button and handed Gideon back his phone. “Let’s shower. We don’t have much time.”

  “I’m not leaving yet. I told Eric and his investors we’d have dinner tonight before we took the jet home.”

  Shannon closed the small distance between them and pressed her naked body against his. “I wasn’t asking,” she told him as she reached forward and took hold of his testicles. She proceeded to toy with them, squeezing them gently and then letting go. “Now, move your ass,” she whispered as she leaned into him further, planting a soft kiss on his stubbly jaw.

  Gideon growled at her, but turned around toward the shower.

  “Don’t make promises you can’t keep.”

  Shannon stood with her hands on her hips. Her breasts high and her nipples hard, she was already aching for the man and she hadn’t even been awake ten minutes. Thankfully he took clues well, because he turned on his heel and rushed her, scooping her off her feet and not stopping until her back hit the cold tile wall in the shower and water cascaded over their bodies.

  * * *

  Shannon had been the one to bring the jet to Vegas, yet the sight of the massive plane, knowing it was just for the two of them, was intimidating. The original plan had been for them to arrive together, but Gideon had skipped out and flown commercial—which led to whatever happened between him and Lily. The thought of him touching her made Shannon’s skin crawl.

  As the car circled the plane, Gideon put his hand on her leg, pushing it slowly toward her core. “Have you had enough today, Ms. Potter? Or shall we induct you into the Mile High Club.”

  Shannon tried to laugh as she swatted his hand away. “I’ve already got my club card punched, thank you.” She couldn’t stop the bitterness that seeped into her words. She was ashamed of them. He didn’t owe her anything. He was free to do whatever he wanted. Plus, had he not done what he did, maybe Lily wouldn’t have given them that box. The fact that she did was still bugging her. It made no sense whatsoever.

  Shannon enjoyed the deafening silence that filled the car as Gideon took in her response. The car stopped, and Shannon only needed to wait a heartbeat before her door swung open and a hand was presented to help her from her seat. She took the hand, thanked the stranger, and walked straight up the steps, entering the plane. She could feel Gideon’s eyes on her the entire time.

  Since neither of them had slept much the night before, they took advantage of the roomy cabin and napped most of the flight home. Gideon woke before Shannon and quickly got to work. He went straight to the Lily and Oak website and started grabbing and saving links, as well as taking screen captures of the products in question. He also went to Google and searched for their products on secondary retailer sites. That exercise surprised him a bit, as there weren’t any.

  After the surprise wore off, Gideon realized that Lily and Oak must be in deeper than he’d thought. Last time Amanda and her team had done investigative work into their business dealings, they’d still held contracts with at least four major retailers. Now they were gone. Gideon sat with the information and mulled it over as the pilot announced that they would be descending for landing in eight minutes.

  “Babe. Wake up. We’re landing in a minute.” He gently shook Shannon.

  Gideon loved to watch her as she slept. He’d never slept next to a woman before. It had always just been about sex. Gideon didn’t have relationships … not until Shannon, anyway. He was thrilled to have managed to get her back into his bed, but even more than that, he’d learned that he very much enjoyed spending time with her.

  He watched her eyes flutter open at the sound of his voice, and her sleep-heavy voice whispering his name sent chills down his spine, straight through his gut to his cock. “Gid?”

  He rubbed a hand down her arm. “Yeah, babe. It’s me. We’re about to land.”

  She twisted and stretched before slowly sitting up. “How long have you been up?” she asked while sweeping the cabin with her eyes. “Did you find anything?” She focused in on his laptop.

  “Actually, I might have. No time to be sure at the moment. We’ll figure it all out when we get back to the office.”

  Shannon nodded, and the two of them went to their seats and buckled in for landing.

  * * *

  “Seth, you need to calm the fuck down.” Gideon was pacing in the conference room, all eyes on him as Seth peppered him with questions.

  “But did she say anything when she gave you the box that would have lead you to believe there was something to look for in it?”

  Gideon froze and zeroed in on Seth. “Dude, I love you but shut the hell up. I’m trying to think. I’ve told you all that I know.” He turned and pointed to Shannon. “Shannon has too. She didn’t say anything.”

  “Well what about on the plane, when you two were …”

  Heat rose up the back of Gideon’s neck. He didn’t need any reminders of the fact that he’d slept with their enemy … but more than that, Shannon didn’t need to hear anything more about it. “Just stop right there. You already know the answer to that, so don’t fucking go there again.”

  Amanda stood. “Boys, boys. There’s no need for any of this arguing. It’s very simple. We have one of the products, we need the other two. Once they’ve arrived, I’ll send a letter to Peterson, Cahill, and Young explaining what we’ve discovered and ask for a meeting. Maybe we can get this settled outside of a courtroom.”

  Gideon looked around the room. Everyone had their attention on Amanda, except for Shannon. She was staring at the table, lost in thought. Before he had a chance to ask her if she was okay, he saw her lips move. She was muttering.

  “Shannon …” She didn’t even look up. He spoke louder. “Shannon …” That time it worked. She looked up at him and shocked them all.

  “She did it on purpose.”

  All eyes turned to her. “Excuse me? Who did what on purpose?” Amanda asked her.

  “Lily. She did it on purpose.”

  Gideon went to her side. “Shannon, you’re not making any sense. Take a breath and explain please.”

  They all watched as she took a deep breath and exhaled it slowly. Gideon saw reason return to her eyes. Shannon looked at him and then back at Amanda. “She did it on purpose. That product shouldn’t have been in the box. Those boxes were given to all the major companies at the convention. She brought us one out of courtesy.”

  Amanda looked intrigued. “And?”

  “Well, I’ve been trying to understand this since I heard about her and Gideon on the plane. She knew who he was. Just like she knew what was in the box. It makes no sense. She is way too smart to make mistakes like that.”

  Gideon watched as Amanda nodded. He put a hand on Shannon’s shoulder as his chest filled with pride.

  “Don’t you see? Kayla is the one trying to save the business. Lily must be done. She fabricated a story of why she had to take a separate flight from Kayla. I don’t think she planned to be on the same plane as Gideon, but since fate handed her that one, she took it. The boxes. They were the easiest way for to end this whole thing. She winked when she dropped the box off. At the time I thought it was about her time with Gideon, but now I don’t think so.
I think she wants out. I think she’s doing this all on purpose.”

  The smile on Amanda’s face was priceless. “Looks like you boys aren’t as dumb as you so often seem. Hiring this one proves it.” Amanda sat back down and turned to Emma on her right. “Order those other two products immediately. I want this done by Monday.”

  “They’ll be here tomorrow.” Shannon said from across the room. Gideon couldn’t tell if the feeling that was over taking his body was good or bad. He clung to Shannon’s shoulder, gripping it tightly.

  Amanda looked over at her. Shannon continued. “I ordered them while I was at the hotel, before I even told Gideon what I’d found. They should be delivered here to the office sometime tomorrow.”

  Amanda’s smile grew bigger. “Perfect.”

  Gideon smiled at Amanda and then down at Shannon. Before he had a chance to thank her, Seth was out of his chair and rambling again. “Okay all, let’s go back to business as usual until Amanda has more for us.”

  Gideon didn’t move and neither did Shannon. His hand remained tight on her shoulder until everyone had vacated the room. He used his grip to pull her chair from the table and turn her to face him.

  She looked up at him— so beautiful, so poised, and yet shy at the same time. That feeling filled him again. It made his feet itchy and his heart heavy. One part of him anchored to the moment and the other wanted to flee.

  “Thank you,” he told her as he took her hands and pulled her from her chair.

  Shannon smiled as Gideon wrapped his arms around her and brought her against his chest.

  Shannon didn’t respond with anything more than a smile before she softly pressed her lips against his. The kiss was soft at first, but as the feelings rushing through Gideon grew, his body began to heat up and he deepened the kiss. Moving his tongue to trace her lips, he coaxed them open so he could explore her mouth with his tongue.