“I still don’t get why we have to sit through a Broadway play just to find out information about Alexia’s clients,” Robert complained.
“A little culture won’t kill you,” Farrah teased, chuckling at his scowl. “Not everyone’s into extreme testosterone-fueled activities—base-jumping, free-hand mountain climbing—”
“High-stakes gambling,” Robert offered, snickering.
Farrah glared at him through narrowed eyes. “We have to find out who she’s working with, and from all the information I’ve been able to gather, the common denominator seems to be this play. She thought it was the perfect cover.”
“Who uses a play as a cover for corporate sabotage?”
“According to more than one of my informants, not to mention all the playbills we found in Alexia’s apartment, she seems to do exactly that,” she said.
“I find it ironic that she chose Chicago for this particular activity, don’t you?” he asked.
“Not...really,” she said, frowning.
“All the women in the play are criminals,” he said, laughing. “You don’t find that ironic?”
“Not at all. She’s a criminal. She can relate,” Farrah said, shrugging. “And since the firm is in the business of putting criminals behind bars, as well as protecting people, it’s not ironic to us, either.”
The back office elevator doors finally opened and they were met by a wall of mahogany wood with raised panels, a wood tray ceiling with a small crystal chandelier and dark travertine tile floors. Although this elevator didn’t have a red velvet sofa and carpeted floors, it was a sight that was very familiar to them. As soon as they stepped inside, it was as if they were transported back in time to a place where they were wrapped in a familiar blanket of desire. They looked at each other and smiled; clearly they were both remembering the last time they’d been in a similar tight situation together. When they’d finally stopped fighting their desire for each other.
“This is one of the owners’ private elevators. It opens into his personal suite. Why do you have a key?” Farrah asked, giving Robert a mischievous smile.
“Because I happen to be one of those owners,” Robert replied, leaning against the elevator wall, while admiring the sexy strapless red mini dress and sky-high heels she wore. He reached over and pushed the stop button on the vintage elevator panel.
Farrah opened her mouth to protest but quickly closed it. Within seconds, the phone that was concealed behind a wooden panel rang. Robert kept his eyes on Farrah while picking up the receiver. “Stand down, everything’s fine,” he said before disconnecting. “Got to love Vegas security.”
Robert closed the short distance between them, trapping Farrah between the wall of the elevator and his wide chest. Farrah raised her chin and the movement caused her breasts to rise—showing off her cleavage as she gifted him with that slow sexy smile he loved. He leaned forward and rested the palms of his hands against the wall to brace himself. Farrah rose up on the tips of her toes, circled her arms around Robert’s neck and kissed him. Her taste ignited something inside of him and Robert returned the kiss with far more passion than he’d intended.
Lost in the moment, Robert took his right hand and reached under Farrah’s dress. He ripped off the thin piece of lace and string she called panties, placed it in his jacket pocket and started stroking her core with the tips of two fingers. He stared into her eyes and watched as she fell to pieces in his hand. Robert moved in closer, placing a gentle kiss on her forehead, then lowered a few inches to devour Farrah’s lips before he brought those same fingers to his mouth and kissed off her essence. “Delicious,” he said as he watched her dilated pupils widen.
“I’ll be the judge of that,” Farrah said in a voice barely above a whisper before capturing his lips into another passionate kiss. “Hmm....”
Robert picked Farrah up and carried her the two feet to the velvet sofa placed against the back wall of the elevator. He sat with Farrah straddled across his lap. “Wife,” he whispered in her ear.
“Husband,” she replied.
The elevator stopped, releasing them from the past, and they both stood in silence as the doors opened to no one. The doors closed again and Robert turned to face Farrah. The dress she wore may have been different and the environment not exactly the same, but Robert’s desire for Farrah was stronger than ever.
“Don’t even think about it,” Farrah said, clearly reading his intentions as she slowly backed away from him.
“Too late,” Robert replied, backing her up against the elevator’s wall. He placed his hands on both sides of her face, lowered his head and greedily took her mouth, as though everything in the kiss mattered to him, as though she mattered to him.
Farrah grabbed his shoulders and returned his kiss with just as much vigor. Robert managed to fight through the sexual haze and remember that this particular elevator wasn’t private. Robert slowly released her mouth and stepped away from her. He was breathing hard and his sex was begging for release.
They stared at each other for several moments. Farrah raised her hand and placed her fingers across her swollen lips, which were quickly followed by her tongue.
“Damn it!” Robert started to step back to Farrah only to be stopped by the halt of the elevator. The doors opened and two Hispanic men dressed in expensive-looking suits entered.
Robert stepped back and crossed his hands low and in front of him, doing his best to hide the evidence of his desire.
“Second floor, please,” one of the men said to Robert. who was standing next to the control panel.
“No problem,” Robert replied, pressing the button with his elbow, causing one of the men to take a swift look at Farrah, then back to Robert’s strategically placed hands.
“Looks like we should have taken the next one,” the shorter of the two men teased, causing Farrah to blush.
The doors opened to the second floor and both men took their exit without any further comment.
“Farrah—”
“No!” she said, using her hand to halt his words. “Please don’t.”
The elevator doors opened to the ground floor. Farrah smoothed out her dress, raised her chin and walked out of the elevator.
“See you later,” Farrah called back over her shoulder.
“Sooner than you think,” Robert murmured as he watched her take her leave. Robert pulled out his phone and placed a call that he’d hoped he wouldn’t have to make so soon. “Fletcher... Robert Gold. Farrah’s getting anxious, so it’s time to move forward with Plan B.”
“You sure about this, man? Why not just tell her the truth?” Fletcher asked.
“She’s not ready for the truth just yet, but hopefully soon she will be.”
“If you say so, but I’d better not lose my license over this. She’s a damn good attorney with a sharp legal mind and an impeccable reputation,” Fletcher said, his concern evident—as well it should be. Farrah was also known for her prominent list of contacts, long memory and ability to hold a grudge—something that made Robert’s plan all that more dangerous.
“I know, but don’t worry about it. If things go south, I’ll take all the blame. Just bring all the necessary paperwork to my office in the morning.” Robert pulled his car keys from his pocket and started his car so the air conditioning would kick in by the time he got in.
“If you’re sure, I’ll see you first thing in the morning?” Fletcher asked, obviously needing one final reassurance.
“I’m sure. Losing Farrah isn’t an option...no matter what I have to do,”