Chapter 3

I'd intended to go home and get some rest which had been something I'd not gotten much of while in Houston, but my dreams had been consumed with fantasies of Shelby. There was now a name to go with her face which already haunted my waking thoughts. Now, as I jacked myself off in the shower, I knew whose name to call out.

Over the years, I'd had several women, most of the one-night stand variety, and for no reason other than I could. My line of work kept me traveling from place to place so it was never even an option to think about settling down. I still had no desire to do that, but I did want to see Shelby and more than just later this evening. Something told me that a single night of being inside her would never be enough.

In a few short hours, I'd be able to answer not only confidently, but accurately as well. Until then... I groaned as I pumped my hand up and down my shaft. It felt like velvet on steel. I kept stroking myself, harder and faster until that familiar burn began, then shot up to the tip of my cock.

After my release exploded on my hand, I leaned back against the shower tiles content that I had gotten myself off. The last thing I needed was to stick my dick inside of her and come like some virginal teenage boy getting a premature orgasm. Those days had long come and gone for me.

I stayed in this spot for several more minutes before finishing my shower. I was yawning a bit by the time I exited the stall and towel dried off, but I had no time for sleep. Everything I was feeling could likely be attributed to lust and jet lag. I had a lot of things to take care of today, so going back to bed wasn't even an option.

"I sure as hell don't want to go back to an empty one."

No, the next time I got in one, Shelby would be there with me. And just like that, I was hard once again. With no desire to take matters literally back into my own hands, I decided to blow off some steam in a different way. I reentered my bedroom, then threw on just a pair of gym shorts before leaving the room.

I walked from one end of my condo to the other, this side where I had the designer create a private gym for me to work out. If nothing else, the stretching would ease the aching in my sore muscles. Tonight was very important as it would be our first official one together. Yesterday had simply been foreplay, or an appetizer. Later would be dinner and dessert rolled into one.

And I can't wait to eat you!

The very thought of making her come on my tongue had me rethinking this current plan, too. I wouldn't let the anticipation derail me, and after I pushed all thoughts of the redhead from my head, I ended up having a pretty good workout. I was more sore at the end than the beginning which was the sole intention. I was also second guessing my actions as well.

I left the makeshift gym, then ventured back into my bachelor pad. It was also designed by the same woman, and one who'd brought new meaning to hands on. She'd been just starting out in her field, and while she'd had a lot of great ideas, Jennie had also had a killer rack and curvy ass. I'd managed to keep things on a relatively professional level until the day she did the walkthrough of the newly designed place with me.

"And this view is spectacular. Have you ever seen anything better?" she'd asked me.

"No, but I'm sure that'll change soon,"I'd replied, and managed to prove myself right two rooms later.

I'd fucked her on the large center island in the kitchen, against the floor to ceiling windows in the bedroom, and bent over my bathroom counter. I'd watched as she watched me fuck her tight ass. Jennie had been a dirty little toy, and while fun for a few dates, nothing ever transpired between us. Eventually, our jobs provided the needed distraction which allowed us both to cut off all contact with one another and never look back.

That had been three years ago, and I'd never once wondered what had happened to her in any of that time. Now, it was a slight question, but nothing I would dwell over. Jennie had been the last and only woman to cross the threshold into my sanctuary. Having a place like Syn had been a godsend in more ways than one. It'd allowed me to separate my normal and sexual lives which was paramount considering what I did for a living.

Working as an agent with the Drug Enforcement Agency, there were times when I'd have to go undercover. Sometimes, the jobs were easy enough such as the time I'd seized the Wilder assets, including the penthouse his daughter, Emery, had lived in. Oftentimes, however, I was tasked with research and surveillance like my last job. I had no idea what my next mission would entail, but I'd cross that bridge when I got to it. For now, I actually had other things to focus on, and this was when I allowed my wicked visions of Shelby to reenter my mind.

I'd no sooner sat down on the leather couch when my cell phone rang beside me. Knowing who this was from not only the ringtone, but the caller ID, I begrudgingly picked the phone up and swiped sideways.

"What is it, Warden?" I asked.

"I told you to stop calling me that," Bob Satherby replied and I chuckled.

"You've told me a lot of things. One of those had been that you'd be back in contact with me in a few days. If my calculations are correct, a few would be–"

"It wouldn't be the first time my math was off. I'm calling because I need you in Los Angeles by tomorrow afternoon."

"Tomorrow!" This was the last thing I wanted to hear from my boss, and I suspected from my tone that he realized it.

"I'm sorry, Bradford. There's been a string of overdoses among some of the political elite. They–"

"In that case, I fail to see the problem," I joked half-heartedly.

"This isn't a laughing matter. Several daughters or nieces of state and local politicians have died via overdoses. At first, we thought it might be our usual suspect – fentanyl – but something isn't adding up. I need you to join agents Loundes and Barr to get to the bottom of it."

"You know, I truly pictured more of a desk type of job when signing up–"

"We both know you would be bored as fuck doing what I do. You need more excitement–"

It was then when I remembered the plans I had made for tonight, and how they would certainly fall into that category. "When do I need to be in L.A. again?"

"Tomorrow, so I'll book your flight for tonight–"

"Actually, can you do it for first thing in the morning? I have plans tonight that I don't intend on breaking."

"I'm not sure it's wise to wait that long, Bradford."

I shrugged even though I knew he couldn't see it. "I spent all that time in Houston and I'm not even back a full day before you want to ship me off once more. I'm just asking for one full day and night to take care of things here."

He sighed, and I knew he was about to relent before he even started speaking. "I suppose you're right. I'll have you on the 6 AM flight. Hopefully whatever's so important will allow you to get some rest. This is a mission with high stakes, and I need you alert."

"Have I ever half-assed done a single assignment?" I asked him.

"No, and I'm sure you'll make the department proud on this one. I'll have the flight booked then send you over the details. I'll also provide the information we've obtained from local authorities. Right now, it's being kept on the hush, but if word about these drugs gets out to the public, it has the potential to create a public emergency which is the last thing we need."

"Understood. Send it over, and I'll find time to look it over."

"Will do, and Bradford..."

"Yes," I said when he paused.

"You're one of my best agents. I just wanted to let you know that in case I haven't told you so before."

"You have, and it's much appreciated. I've got some things to do, so I'll get back to you later."

"Take care," my boss said before disconnecting the line.

"Fuck!" I said before tossing my cell phone onto the cushion beside me.

I'd initially planned to stay with Shelby overnight in one of the private rooms at Syn. I didn't want to be one of those guys that hit and left, but with a flight and assignment looming, I'd have no choice but to do it. Hopefully, I'd be able to think of something to say to her that wouldn't offend or upset her afterward. I couldn't relay details about my job, nor would I even if I could. Just as I liked to keep my regular life from my sexual one, I also always kept my professional life to myself as well.

The only ones aware of who I was and what I did professionally were my immediate friends, especially the ones in similar types of roles, but with the Federal Bureau of Investigation versus the Drug Enforcement Agency. I loved what I did for the DEA, even if days like this made me wish otherwise. There was nothing else I could do but make sure I made the best use of tonight's time, and have it be enough to convince Shelby to give me another one soon.

There was so much I'd dreamed of doing to her that I knew I couldn't possibly do it all in one night, so there had always been the intent to see her again. Before I could even consider a second night with her, I had to make it through my first. Unfortunately, we were not meeting for several more hours, so I stood up and grimaced as a burning afflicted me.

"Shit, I shouldn't be this damn sore," I stated out loud.

I tried twisting and stretching my shoulder and upper back muscles, but the stiffness only intensified. I was in need of a damn good massage, and that's when it hit me. I was going to be alone tonight with a woman who offered up the fact that she held a license in massage therapy, including the kind that would be most welcome at a place like Syn.

I grabbed my cell phone, then pulled up Hawke's number.

Hey, Hawke. I was wondering if you could do me a solid.

Hey, E. It depends. What do you need?

The cell phone number of a club member.

You know I can't do that.

He'd wasted no time shooting that down, and I understood why. It'd been a gamble to ask, but the only chances you lose in life are the ones you don't take according to my late grandfather.

Could you get a message out to one for me then? I have a date tonight, and I need to change the preparation instructions.

Who's the member? And what are the instructions? I will send those to her on your behalf.

I quickly typed out her first name, and it dawned on me that I had no idea what her last name was. It didn't matter. Hawke seemed to know exactly who she was which was no surprise. He personally reviewed each and every application, and he reviewed them periodically even after granting membership. I'd actually been afraid he would revoke my membership after I had pulled the rug out from under Emery Wilder, but he understood I'd just been doing my job, just as I understood he was just doing his now.