Chapter 1
Rhianna’s laughter resonated through the private booth despite the loud music echoing outside the private chamber she shared with her three bosses, Connor, Mason and Dylan.
The negotiation deal she had spent two years working on as the liaison officer between them and the firm was finally signed, prompting the celebration.
Connor looked at his phone and smiled brightly as he texted furiously, while Rhianna made herself comfortable on the sofa, the alcohol slowly making its giddy, relaxing effect on her. She kicked her high heels off, removed her blazer, leaving her in her satin and lace cami. The heat of the place kept rising, making her hot and sticky with sweat.
“Hope you’re not planning to leave us too soon,” Rhianna shouted over the music so he could hear her.
Connor just smiled, lifting his eyes briefly from his phone. A smug questioning expression on his face.
“Come on, it’s been ages since we all went out together like this.”
Connor always had multiple relationships on the go. At least he always was upfront with it, so everyone involved knew what they were getting with him.
“Don’t worry, I am not leaving until we get you home safely. You can enjoy yourself fully.”
Mason gave his card to the waitress, placing their drink on the table. He looked at Rhianna with the mischievous gaze she recognised instantly, only it usually was directed at any woman he decided he would enjoy the night pleasures with, and yes, it was occasionally directed at her. She usually avoided it. Not that she had a choice. She had the rule not to mix work and pleasure. A rule and an iron clasp close in her contract imposed by their benefactor, Hugh Henrickson. He had ingrained in her since he became her mentor seven years ago that sex, love, and sometimes even friendship shouldn’t mix at their level of business. He was right of course.
Everyone had heard of the dispute and collapse of major groups after divorces, affairs and other causes.
But today was different. For one, her contract ended today. So the rule didn’t apply, although she was not eager to sleep with him either, despite a curiosity bugging her mind. She had heard of his talent in that department, of course, and had wondered more than once if they were true or exaggerations. But that was not the main reason she was so determined not to cross the line with him. Not when he has never stopped hitting on her since the moment they met at university seven years ago. Mason was also the reason she had the cushy, perfect job and had worked with the brotherhood for the past two years. But Rhianna knew better than to give into his charms. And she knew Mason Verdun had plenty of them. The perfect face, eyes, nose, mouth and body he liked to flaunt at every occasion possible. He was clearly in the top one per cent of men she had ever met to this day. But honestly, so were Connor and Dylan, his best friends and business partners, his ride and die.
Mason followed her lead by removing his own suit jacket, his tie and unbuttoning the first four buttons of his shirt, giving the group a good view of his chest. Rhianna lifted her pencil skirt until it only covered her ass and sat mermaid style, perfectly comfortable when she realised the two other men held a similar gaze on her.
“Oh, please, you have seen better tits before. And mine are still covered.” Rhianna chuckles, and the boys burst laughing.
Rhianna was expecting Mason to respond, so her face flashed with surprise when Connor who had lifted up his face from his phone, responded, “Not sure. I will have to see them undressed to judge.”
His gaze was burning her and setting her body on fire. She should protest and feel offended. Especially when he intentionally lowered his gaze to her chest. But instead, Rhianna struck a pose that pushed her large assets up and smiled seductively.
Dylan, who was directly sitting next to her, leaned to observe them better and looked at his hand opening and closing it.
“What?” Rhianna laughed out while looking at Dylan mischievously.
Dylan was the quiet one. At least on the surface. People who didn’t know him the way she and the boys did would describe him as the quiet, alpha-type CEO of Technology Security Company. Part of it was true, but Dylan had another side to him that only a few knew. She had witnessed it once and promised to keep it to the grave. Not verbally or in writing because her relationship with the boys didn’t need that kind of seal.
“I was just wondering if my hand could cover them, that’s all.”
“Really”, she chuckled and looked at him straight before lowering it to his hand and back to his eyes.
She stood up and walked to the small gate separating the booth from the dance floor. She turned to Dylan just before pulling the latch, “Not quite,” and left the booth, her hips moving side to side to the rhythm of the music around her.
Her body heat increased, helped by the atmosphere, but also the body of the people she squeezed passed to reach the dancefloor seemed to be transferring to her. And there was another type of heat building inside her. The one between her legs, which prompted her to flee the gaze of her best friends. The next song playing was one of her favourites. She moved sensually on instinct at the slow, sensual rhythm of the afro dancehall beat. A few guys tried to approach her, but she paid them no mind, knowing full well they had no chances with her tonight. Even though she could really use that type of release. But with three bodyguards looking, there is no way on earth they would let her leave with a stranger for a hook-up. Plus, tonight she had no idea why the feel between them was charged with something she wasn’t sure she could resist exploring. Her smartwatch vibrated and the discreet sign the luteal phase of her period tracker popped up with a message notification. The message read *Careful Rhiz*, Connor. Rhianna laughed and continued dancing, slowing her movement,s knowing full well it would attract more eyes on her.
They were always like this, overprotective. She was not eighteen anymore. However, she was not complaining; she would rather be safe. And they always made sure she was. The next song was more upbeat and demanded that her hips bounce quickly. It has been months since she let herself go. A second notification came, but she ignored it, enjoying the bliss of the moment, until she felt a body pressing against her back. Rhianna furry rose. She was about to turn and snap, when the person locked her, his hand on her belly and pressed her against him further. He matched her movement perfectly. She relaxed, recognising the cologne and his voice when he talked directly into her heart “You have been warned Ri-Ri”.
Rhianna’s fire in her pit was fanned by his presence. Damn luteal phase. She was aroused, tipsy, and Mason’s hand on her lower abdomen made her want to cross the line she promised never to step over. But her reason was shutting down. Desire for her best friends crawled under her skin as she could feel Mason’s boner in her back.
“Time to go back.” His breath tickled her ear and neck, sending goosebumps all over her body. Rhianna laughed, shook her head and continued dancing, Mason matching her move perfectly as if they had done this multiple times. They had. Connor always sent her warning messages, but she always ignored them. Mason always joined her on the dancefloor and brought her back. The only time Dylan came to her was to fight or take her by force when she was too stubborn to listen. She had once or twice left the club on Dylan’s shoulder after he had broken a few noses. Not that it had happened in recent years.
Rhianna lifted her head to look up at Mason, “Just one more song. Please?” She bit her lips. Mason looked at her for a moment, swaying with her. He smirked, “Just one, Ri-Ri or Dylan will pounce.”
Her smile widened, Mason laughed, “Turn”. She obeyed the moment he loosened his hold, only for him to tighten it and make her crash into his sculpted body. The song was a ballad, slow, sensual. The lyrics sung by a female artist talked about all the things the artist wanted her lover to do to her, filling Rhianna’s own imagination. Mason’s hand on the small of her back was lower than usual. She felt his small finger stroking the start of her ass. Her hands were on his chest, their gaze lost in each other. This was dangerous, but thrilling. A couple passed behind her, and Mason lifted her ever so slightly out of the way, bringing their faces closer, lips brushing. No. No. Rhianna tried to reason with herself. Mason came closer, making her heart beat, and her imagination go wild. “You are making us go wild, Ri-Ri.” Mason’s statement both aroused her and brought her back to reality.
Us was why she promised herself never to cross the line. Because the brotherhood shared everything, including their girls. For them, there was no limit to cross. What was one of them was for all of them. She also knew how insatiable they were. And jealous. Meaning that if she crossed the line with Mason, she would have to cross it with Dylan and Connor, too. And that was only possible in her fantasies. Something reality couldn’t match. Not in time, stamina and emotional bonding. The song ended. Mason stopped and guided her back to the booth. She swallowed hard, imagining all kinds of naughty scenarios.
Rhianna needed an escape and quick because her reason was being taken over by her fantasies. She reminded herself of the rules. Just because this contract ended didn’t mean she will stop collaborating with them. That’s right, another contract was probably waiting for her to sign.
“You ignored me.” Connor didn’t look at her, but his pout was so clear, illuminated by his tablet.
“I hope you are working on the extension I asked for.” Rhianna teased. Connor ignored her. She chuckled.
“You didn’t notice the guy staring at you.” Connor finally lifted his face to look at her. Rhianna’s breath became heavy for a second. The intensity in his eyes was unsettling. Why did everything feel so different?
“I was busy.” She shrugged. Passing him to sit back next to Dylan. He didn’t say anything.
Rhianna realised Mason was right. She looked in the direction of his gaze and landed on a pair of eyes that stared at her.
She looked back at Dylan and placed herself between his legs, so she was just in front of him. The limited place of the booth probably made the scene look very different from what it was. Dylan looked up at her, tilted his head. Good, he was calming down. She turned, realising that her ass was now placed in front of his face. She paused just for a second before bending to fill a glass, turning again to present it to him.
Dylan stared at her. Rhianna notices his chest rising up and down in controlled breaths. Rhianna squeezed a core. Her breath followed his rhythm unknowingly. Dylan reached for her wrist first before taking the glass from her to put it back on the table. His hand never let go of her wrist. He gently pulled her towards him. Rhianna understood the order, and she bent down to sit. Only Dylan didn’t move his leg, making hers straddle his as she sat. She gulped. Dylan lifted her chin, came so close his breath tickled her lips, “You're having way too much fun without us.”
Rhianna felt giddy. Her core throbbed. The movement she made to sit back while sliding her legs away from Dylan brought a small wave of pleasure to her clit. She was in trouble. A fantasy played in her mind, dangerously blurring the lines of her reason. She chuckled, more to deflect herself. “You should have joined. Mason always does.”
By the time she realised what she said, the boys all looked at her amused. “Is this an invitation?” Dylan’s tone was low and deep. Rhianna didn’t respond. She just smiled, reaching for her glass on the table. This was a bad idea. More alcohol would only fuel the flames burning her body. But drink options were limited.
“Talking about fun”, Connor leaned and took her glass from her and chucked it down his throat. Rhianna's eyebrows shoot up. She pouted. He mimicked her. They burst out laughing together. “There’s a party uptown…”
Rhianna shook her head. The type of party he was referring to was not the traditional one.
“I’ll pass,” Mason replied. “I am not in the mood for that type of fun.”
“What about meeting Alysa? She’s been asking about you guys.”
Mason and Dylan just chuckled. Mason added, “I bet she is. She had a great time last time.”
“So it’s a no, then.” Connor thumbs drummed on his phone.
“What about you Rhianna?” Connor asked her out of the blue, for the first time since they had known each other.
Rhianna gulped and looked at Connor, who was looking at her seriously. Her heartbeat increased, her wet core squished. Her body screamed to say yes, her reason no. Her mouth moved to respond.
