Take the Money and Come

Chapter 13: In Satan's Grasp

Chapter 13: In Satan's GraspNico watched as Sarah emerged from the main lobby of her apartment building. He'd followed her—not in the sleazy, stalking kind of way—but while he'd been reasonably certain Lorenzo would leave this alone, he wasn't absolutely convinced. The two of them were experts in deception, after all, and he couldn't risk it. So, he'd left Florida at the same time as Sarah and called ahead to rent an apartment in the building across from hers to keep an eye out for any signs of trouble. So far, no signs, and he figured that Lorenzo would have acted fast, eliminating a potential threat before it could become a full-fledged problem. It looked like Sarah wasn't in any danger, but he intended to stick around a little while longer just to be sure. In truth, he didn't want to leave. He wanted Sarah. As much as he'd spent the past two days trying to remind himself that this was really for the best, he wanted her nonetheless.

Sarah walked the few blocks to the children's center, thinking about new programs to propose to her fellow volunteers to keep her mind off Nico. While she hadn't expected any breakthrough, something he had said suddenly came to her, spurring an idea for an expansion to the center. Nico had talked about the conflict between him and his father, and while her idea likely wouldn't have been able to help in his situation, setting up an environment where families could work out their problems in group scenarios, learn communication skills in workshops—even early parenting skills for expecting mothers. It would take more funds than they had to get the program off the ground, but with the right fundraiser, it could be underway in no time. Since it was nearly October, a costumed gala would serve to attract a multitude of attendees. Sarah smiled a real smile for the first time in days. It felt both good and painful at the same time to think that Nico had been the inspiration for the idea.

“Good morning!” she greeted her fellow volunteers and the children at the center as she walked in the building's front door.

Launching into her idea moments later, she gained unanimous support and the group spent their free time over the next several days sorting out the details of both the new program and its fundraiser. Within a week, all that was left to do was wait for the big event. Back to work, Sarah tried to stay busy there too, taking on extra shifts and justifying the workload with the extra money that she could put toward her fundraiser. But as much as she tried to submerse herself in work and volunteering, Nico still plagued her mind constantly. She even thought she'd seen him a time or two, making her feel quite certain she was losing her mind. It shouldn't be this way. She'd known him for such a brief amount of time; he should be easy to forget, but he wasn't. And one morning, a week and a half after her return from Boca Raton, forgetting about Nico became even more difficult.

She awoke with the same tiredness that had been her constant companion lately, swinging her feet over the side of her bed and forcing herself to sit up. Just as she'd made it into an upright position, her stomach churned violently. She was off the bed and in the bathroom in three seconds flat. Sarah hadn't come down with the flu in years, and once her stomach had finally settled she sat on the bathroom floor, rummaging through the bathroom cabinet drawer for the thermometer she knew had to be in there somewhere. Her fingers made contact with a handful of pads instead and she froze, counting the days since her last period and realizing she wasn't just a little off—she was already more than a week late! She'd been so engrossed in missing Nico that she hadn't noticed.

“Oh God, no!” she whispered aloud, her hands automatically moving to her stomach, as if she could find something there to deny what was already becoming painfully obvious. “I'm pregnant...” she confessed to the four walls surrounding her, knowing that a pregnancy test would only serve to verify the fact. Even so, she stood, throwing on a pair of jeans and a sweater. Grabbing her purse, she headed out the door and straight to the pharmacy less than a minute's walk away.

Back in her apartment shortly after, she sat staring at the positive pregnancy test that was resting on the side of her bathtub. She'd always known she wanted to be a mother someday—though she hadn't exactly been planning on it anytime soon. She tried to think about the options that were available to her, but she couldn't. Without a doubt, it was Nico's baby she was carrying. She'd managed to keep a part of him with her after all and regardless of the circumstances, she would never destroy that. But there would have to be a cover story because nobody could ever know the baby was Nico's. Given the life he was involved in, it was just too dangerous.

Though it wasn't the ideal circumstance, she endeavored to make the best of it, trying not to think too often about what her unborn baby would look like; would he have Nico's dark hair and eyes or would he have Sarah's unique emerald eyes? The more she thought about it, the more she wanted to run straight to him, sharing the news with the man she loved. Instead, she delved into her fundraiser every spare moment, even choosing her costume for the night; a seductive-looking angel costume that reminded her of the dress she had worn the night she'd met Nico.

And as she slid it on just hours before the gala, she couldn't help but remember back to that night, and all the nights that followed. Her eyes closed, she could still feel his hands grazing across her heated flesh; she could so easily remember his fingers, his lips driving her body wild. God, how she missed his touch.

“This dress was definitely a bad idea,” she thought dryly.

She tried to force her body to calm down, but there was no point. She missed him every day, and every night she craved his body more. And there wasn't a damn thing she could do about it. She couldn't go running back to him, and even if she could, he'd likely forgotten about her already, long ago moved onto the next woman who caught his attention in some bar. The surge of jealousy that went coursing through her at that thought was enough to cool her jets a little, and so she grabbed onto the feeling, keeping it there in the back of her mind as she headed out the door and over to the banquet hall she'd rented for the night.

Sarah arrived early—at least two hours early—wanting to make sure everything went off without a hitch. They'd managed to garner the attention of several wealthier individuals in the city, making it possible to raise all the funds they'd need right there tonight. Fortunately, the other volunteers on the project were just as committed, all arriving hours ahead of time to ensure a successful evening.

As the event got underway, she welcomed guests, made introductions and then let the music and fine wine do the rest, looking around to make sure all the guests were having a good time. Skipping the wine for obvious reasons, Sarah stood against the far wall, sipping on apple juice while conversing with one of the wealthier benefactors who was doing his best to disguise his overt advances with clumsy jokes. Two glasses of wine later, and the man was becoming bolder, leaning in closer. She moved out of the way deftly as he went to put his hands on her, but it didn't deter him. As the man continued to advance, she stepped backward slowly. She had nearly reached the corner of the room, and once she did, she'd be trapped. Trying to appear calm to avoid garnering the attention of other guests, nobody would have noticed her panic had they not been eyeing her movements intently.

He had watched her from across the room, not wanting to make his presence known just yet—not knowing if he'd approach her at all. After learning about the event Sarah was planning, he couldn't resist, even finding the perfect costume—a devil's costume complete with mask to hide his identity. It had seemed even more fitting when he saw her, standing there in the sexiest angel's costume he'd ever seen. Damn, she looked incredible. He'd continued to watch as one guest after another glanced over her body appreciatively, tamping down the jealousy that flared within him, reminding himself he had no right. That was, until the drunkard businessman started pushing Sarah too far, and then all reasonable thought fled. His feet moved of their own volition, driving him forward like a lion sneaking up on its prey. He was halfway across the room as the vile man grabbed Sarah by the waist, forcing her body against his. But as his lips moved to cover hers, Nico was there, the angry glint in his eyes and the hard set of his jaw not hidden by the mask.

He grabbed the man's arm, twisting it behind the degenerate's back easily so that he was forced to back away from Sarah or suffer excruciating pain by resisting. Nico kept himself in check, inflicting only what was necessary to compel the man's retreat, not wanting to cause a scene for Sarah. Just as Nico had figured, the moment the man had to pick on someone his own size, he fled like a coward. But now he was standing there, less than a foot away from Sarah, her lips parted in surprise and even more beautiful up close.

Even wearing his mask, Sarah knew instantly who had come to her aid; she knew before she saw him, recognizing his familiar, masculine scent in the air seconds before he pulled the drunken man off her. But she hadn't anticipated ever seeing him again...what was he doing there? So many emotions clouded her mind that she couldn't speak. She wanted to run away and throw her arms around him at the same time. Instead, she just stood there, staring up at his dark eyes, watching as desire clouded the anger that had been there a moment prior. It was captivating; the golden flecks of fire setting her body ablaze.

“You're not supposed to be here,” she whispered.

“I had to come,” he replied, the last word bringing to her mind all sorts of naughty thoughts.

And that was all it took; whatever strength Sarah thought she possessed fled in that moment. She lunged forward, wrapping her arms around his neck as she pressed her body against his. Nico's mouth came down on hers instantly, kissing her with the fiery heat of desire that had been pent up too long. But they were in plain sight, and Sarah's mind fought hard to think logically—not to extricate herself from the situation but rather to find a more intimate place to go. She thought of one quickly, taking Nico's hand before she could change her mind and racing out of the banquet hall and down the hall to a room in the back that was generally reserved for the bridal party at a wedding. Pulling him inside, she locked the door behind her, and then she was back in his arms.

It appeared he was just as aroused as she was, reaching for the hem of her dress, pulling it off over her head and leaving her standing there in a white satin bra and thong, and a pair of white, high-heeled sandals. He groaned, leaning back just slightly to take in the view, and it was her turn. She grabbed at the ties of the red cape that was only half-covering his naked torso, running her hands down his bare abdomen as she made her way to the fly of his black, leather pants. She unfastened the zipper and he pulled them off quickly, Sarah's mouth watering as the c**k she'd longed for sprang free. She was on her knees before he could pull her back against him, her hands reaching for him as her mouth encircled his hard shaft. She moved slowly at first, savoring every inch of him, but as her arousal soared sky high, her pace increased, taking in as much as she could, feeling him against the back of her throat.

She could feel he was getting close but before he toppled over the edge, his hands were beneath her arms, pulling her to her feet, skillfully removing her bra and thong in a hurry. He lifted her off the ground, laying her out on the large sofa in the middle of the room. Kneeling on the floor beside her, his hands covered her body, squeezing her t**s, roaming across her stomach and then opening her legs wide. His fingers ran along her wet slit, spreading her lips before plunging two fingers deep inside her. He moved fast, thrusting in and out at a frantic pace that had her teetering on the edge in no time. She was so close, but as her o****m neared, he withdrew, staring at her p***y for a moment before his head swooped down, his tongue thrusting in and out. His fingers made contact with her clit just seconds later and she stifled a scream with the back of her arm as she started to c*m, his tongue still deep inside her.

As the spasms of her o****m subsided she moved to sit up, but Nico's hand pressed gently against her, urging her to remain there as he leaned in, capturing her mouth with his own, her taste still fresh on his lips. His fingers slid back inside of her, moving slowly at first and she started to moan, still amazed by how easily her body responded to his every touch. A moment later, she gasped against his lips. He bent his fingers as he moved in and out, stimulating the most sensitive part of her with every thrust. An exquisite pressure built inside her and as much as she tried to hold off, the sensation was too intense. Her body writhed as her moans grew louder and suddenly the pressure within exploded, an o****m unlike any other coursing through every inch of her body, soaking her p***y and thighs.

Withdrawing his fingers, he was on top of her in a flash, poised above her for just a second before delving in deep with one smooth thrust, Sarah wrapping her legs around him to take in every inch. God, this is what she'd been missing for far too long. Nico's eyes met hers and he held her gaze as he plunged in and out, over and over again, his pace increasing gradually. She reached out, her hands twining in the hair at the back of his neck as she pulled him down to her, kissing him with wild fervor. His mouth stifled her screams as she neared the edge, his own sexy sounds spurring her onward. As her o****m overtook her, she pulled him down hard against her, spasming around his c**k and triggering his own o****m, Nico cumming deep inside her.

He rolled beneath her, pulling Sarah on top as she collapsed against him, savoring the aftershocks of her o****m that still tremored through her body. But as they subsided, her mind started to clear and she cringed.

“What have I done,” she cried silently, realizing this should never have taken place.

But she had figured he'd long forgotten about her, certainly not expecting to see him there looking sexy as hell. What on earth was she supposed to do now?!? Just walk out? “Thanks for the f**k, but I still can't stomach waiting around to see you get hurt or worse, so please see yourself out?” She'd walked away from him once; wasn't that enough? She didn't know if she possessed the strength to do it again., and it was even more important that she got away from him now before he found out she was pregnant with his child.

Nico could feel the tension in her body, knowing she was already regretting what had just taken place between them. “I just had to make sure you were alright. I didn't plan on...I would have left you alone if it wasn't for that creep...” he tried to explain. “I'll be leaving later tonight, Sarah,” he whispered, hoping that knowing he'd be gone soon would soothe the tension from her muscles.

Her breath caught in her throat. He hadn't come here to chase after her; he didn't want her back. He'd only come to ensure she was still alive. If it hadn't been for the drunken businessman making a move on her, Nico would never have let her know he was there. As much as it was better that way, it still stung to know he hadn't come for her. But, at least it was easier. There was no need for her to muster up the strength to send him on his way. And knowing this would be the last time she saw him, she could savor these last few seconds this time, unlike the unexpected scene in his hotel suite. She remained still for a moment, breathing in his scent, feeling his warmth beneath her body and his skin beneath her fingers.

She stood then, knowing that prolonging the inevitable would only make it more difficult the longer she stayed there, nestled against him. Reaching for her clothes, she struggled to find something to say, but no words came to mind. Slipping the angelic dress over her head, she felt the wetness against her cheek and turned away, hiding her tears and mustering up her strength fast. Her tears adequately quelled, she turned back to find him fastening his pants, throwing on a T-shirt he'd apparently had lining the sexy cape. He pulled her to him then, wrapping his arms around her and kissing her with an unusual gentleness. She didn't know why, but somehow it seemed more intimate than anything she'd ever experienced. After a long while, he released her. His hands were by his side, but he held her gaze. It felt like an eternity, but finally, she forced her eyes away, turning toward the room's exit and leaving without a word. There was nothing she could say; she couldn't tell him how she felt or how she wished he'd stay. All she could do was walk away.

Nico could have convinced himself that Sarah was just fine; that she hadn't missed him at all or she'd gotten over him and his dark secret quickly. He could have convinced himself easily if it hadn't been for the silent tears that had given her away just seconds before she'd turned from him. He'd done horrific things in his lifetime, but he'd never felt worse than in that moment, hurting her all over again. He should never have come, and he sure as hell should have been strong enough to keep his distance. He groaned in frustration, knowing there was nothing he could do about it now; the damage had been done. Walking out a few minutes later, Nico headed straight for the exit, determined to leave the building, and Chicago, forever. He couldn't undo what he'd done to Sarah, but he wouldn't hurt her anymore.