Shadow: Lust and Lies Series Book 1 Read online

  “What do you do for a living, if you don’t mind my asking?” I boldly asked while I poured her a glass of wine.

  Chloe slowed her chewing I’m sure to give herself a moment to think of what to tell me. Her answer was clever, especially since I actually knew what she did and what her family did for a living.

  “I work for my father,” she replied.

  I swallowed my food and nodded.

  “And what does your father do?”

  Chloe slowly took a sip of wine and kept her eyes on me as she savored it in her mouth and swallowed.

  “He’s in sales.”

  “That’s fantastic.” I paused and took another bite of my food. “What does he sell?”

  “Pharmaceuticals.”

  I nodded at her smart response.

  “That’s a great industry. Lots of money to be made there I imagine.”

  “There is. You have no idea, Wesley.”

  I did have an idea. A very good one in fact. I smiled as I sipped my wine casually.

  “So, what do you do for your father’s business?”

  “I help line up meetings with new potential clients and make frequent contact with them. I show them around town, take them to dinner.” Chloe paused for another bite of food. “That’s the kind of stuff I do in London.”

  That made sense to me.

  “Well,” I started. “I have a feeling you’re very good at what you do,” I complimented.

  “Oh yeah? Do you think so, Wesley?” she teased.

  Chloe’s lips parted to reveal her beautiful smile that touched her eyes. Even if I couldn’t see the smile and I was just looking into her eyes, I’d know she was smiling. I’d always heard the saying about eyes that twinkle, but I never understood it really. But after looking in Chloe’s eyes when she smiled, I could say that I understood it now.

  “Yes. I think you’re probably perfect for that. I’m sure you know the business and such. If I were a potential customer, I’d sign up for sure.”

  She tilted her head back and burst out laughing.

  “Would you be saying that based on the fact that we’ve slept together?”

  It was unavoidable for me not to laugh.

  “Not at all.”

  We continued our meal and Chloe continued opening up to me.

  “So, your meeting this afternoon was to try to bring your father’s business to Amsterdam and recruit new customers?” I innocently asked.

  I knew she was trying to take business back to daddy. And my family was hoping to be the big winner.

  “Something like that. Wesley, do you know what the difference is between a ‘customer’ and a ‘client’?”

  I shook my head slightly.

  “A ‘customer’ is typically a one-time thing. Think of it like, going to a restaurant. You’re their customer. You may or may not return depending upon how you’re treated and the service you’re given. A ‘client’ is someone you build a relationship with. Like a lawyer or a doctor. You go to them for your needs as they come up. You trust them to take care of you. Make sense?”

  I nodded.

  “I get it,” I confirmed.

  “My father is trying to build a relationship with a new client. So—”

  “Your father sent you here to impress the potential new client.”

  She nodded, and this time she wasn’t all smiles.

  “I’m the one he sends to meet the new ones.”

  “The pretty face to meet clients “

  “Yes, Wesley.” Chloe’s stressed face had returned. “I’m a product of his business.” Clearly, she was unhappy about her position in her family. “It’s not a wonderful job, Wesley. It usually sucks.”

  “Have you thought about telling your father that you’re not happy and don’t want to do it anymore?”

  “It’s not so simple, Wesley,” Chloe said. She leaned back in her chair and looked at me with sad eyes before saying something that chilled me to the bone. “I was born for this.”

  Instantly my mind catapulted to the night Thom showed me that the docks had been shut down. I stood near that horrific property line when he told me that couples were selling their boys to the docks.

  Chloe’s comment about being “born for it,” made me wonder if I had, in fact, also been born for something specific...the docks.

  “Wesley?” Chloe’s soft voice and gentle hand on my forearm pulled me from those thoughts.

  I took hold of her hand and smiled as I snapped out of it.

  “Chloe, you’re a lovely, smart young woman. Though I don’t know your father, I’d imagine he’d just want you to be happy,” I offered.

  “You don’t understand. Our family is very rich in tradition. We only go into the family business. Olsens don’t do anything else.”

  I felt terrible for her. She hated what she was doing, and it made me wonder if Thom would be supportive of any of his sons if they said that they wanted out. I wouldn’t want to do anything else though. I was grateful to be part of my family.

  “Let me show you something, Wesley.”

  Chloe went to her purse and brought back her phone. For a fleeting moment, I feared that she knew who I was and was going to show me the evidence. She studied the phone for a moment, and I watched her move her fingers over her phone as she looked for something.

  “Here,” Chloe handed me the phone, and I stared at a picture of an awkward young, chubby girl with an obtrusive overbite and braces. “That was me in middle school.”

  I raised in my eyebrows as she pulled her phone back. She began searching for something else and soon turned the phone to face me.

  “That was me in my senior year of high school.” Chloe’s senior year picture showed her as a sweet, soft and curvy teen. Her smile was bright, and the dental braces she had worn in her middle school picture had done an excellent job straightening her teeth. The overbite that was evident in her senior picture was nowhere in sight now.

  “You looked happy in that picture,” I said.

  “I was. But my natural look wasn’t what my father needed.”

  Chloe didn’t pick up her phone but swiped to reveal the next picture, and I moved in closer to see the picture. Chloe’s face and neck were bruised, and her eyes were swollen.

  “My God, Chloe. What—”

  “What happened? My father spent the summer after my senior year fixing my flaws.”

  I stared in shock as she swiped her phone revealing the aftermath and recovery from medical and dental procedures.

  “I had reconstructive surgery done on my jaw...all of my teeth were removed and replaced with permanent implants...gastric surgery and liposuction...breast augmentation and implants. Not to mention a handful of minor cosmetic surgeries to fix me.”

  She pulled her phone back and then set it to the side.

  “See, Wesley? I was born to do this for my father. He went to extreme measures to make sure that I knew my place in life and was prepared to work for the family.”

  My heart went out to this young woman. Her father was an asshole who was so absorbed by his business that he altered her physical appearance so that potential clients would stare and grope her with their eyes.

  Shit, hopefully just with their eyes.

  Chloe was the beautiful face to Gareth Olsen’s ugly, dark business. There really wasn’t much that I could say to hide my disgust that a parent would, as she put it, go to those extremes. Of course, I may have been sold as a child for money.

  My appetite was gone for my steak. I looked at Chloe’s hand in mine as I stroked her thumb with mine.

  “I’m sorry,” she sobbed and broke down crying.

  I moved my chair closer to her and pulled her to sit in my lap. Her head naturally went to relax against my neck, and I hugged her against my body.

  “I didn’t mean to ruin our dinner and evening,” she said.

  “Shh, it’s ok, Chloe.” I kissed her forehead. “I’m so sorry you went through that.”

  I could feel her shrug agains
t me.

  “It’s okay.” She laughed lightly as her fingertips moved over my chest. “Hey, at least I’m pretty and perfect looking now.”

  I winced as her words echoed in my head. How could she say such a thing? I recognized what she was doing though; making jokes so it was easier for her to digest.

  “I’m sorry that the decision to make all of the changes wasn’t made by you. No one should have the right to make decisions like that for someone. Not even your father.”

  “Sometimes I look in the mirror and don’t even recognize the woman staring back at me.”

  I stroked her back as we sat there in silence. I just couldn’t imagine how a parent could do that. No wonder Thom said she’s the apple of her daddy’s eye...he constructed her just as he wished.

  “Be grateful you don’t have baggage like me.”

  I swallowed hard. I had some baggage, alright.

  “Even though I look perfect, I rarely feel that way. Many times I can’t even look at myself in the mirror.” Chloe nuzzled her head against my chest before she added, “I have never told anyone that before.”

  I sighed.

  “Well, I’d like to make you feel pretty tonight.”

  I titled her head upward so she’d look at me. As I smiled, she smiled. When I had been sure that she was on board with my thoughts, I stood with her in my arms and carried her to the bed.

  Chloe’s light purple nightie crept up her thighs as she lay on the crisp white sheets. Her eyes twinkled, and a smile spread across her face as she watched me unbutton my shirt. As my shirt came off, her eyes immediately went to my chest and tattoo.

  From my wallet, I pulled out a condom and tossed it on the bed before I began pulling my pants and boxers off. Her smile broadened as I stood at the foot of the bed naked.

  “Part those pretty legs. Chloe. My appetite has returned.”

  Her cheeks became flushed when I crawled onto the bed and settled on my stomach between her legs. I was touched by her bashfulness. Chloe took hold of the hem of her nightie and began drawing the material upward. I hooked my fingers inside the waistband of her panties, and gazed in her eyes as I slowly pulled them from her body.

  “Wait! Should we take the tablets?” Chloe asked.

  “No, sweetheart. I want to make you feel good without the tablets.”

  I dragged my tongue over her wet slit until I reached her swollen nub that was poking out at me. I didn’t rush and took my time savoring Chloe and her sweet body. She tasted exquisite, and her skin smelled like the coconut body wash she used earlier in the shower.

  Chloe’s quiet whimpers grew into loud moans. Her fingers gripped my hair as she pulled me closer to her snatch, as if I could get any closer. She tossed her head from side to side as she uncurled her fingers from my hair and pressed her palm against the back of my head.

  “Mmm, Wesley,” she whined.

  I could tell that she was close to her orgasm because her whimpers and moans had an urgent tone to them. I wanted to feel her come on my cock rather than against my face. I pushed myself up on my knees, reached for the condom and rolled it down my shaft.

  I leaned over Chloe and slid my hands under her upper and lower back and lifted her up, then I sat back on my heels. She straddled my lap and wrapped her arms around my shoulders as she smiled and looked into my eyes. Her hands fell away from my shoulders, and she rubbed my biceps.

  “You’re strong, Wesley.”

  I just nodded. God knew I had worked out nearly every day since Thom took me in. All of his sons had good builds, but I was kind of scrawny at the time. Martin and I worked out each morning together. I was proud of my body now...except for the tattoo.

  I let go of her upper back and grabbed my hard cock at the base. Damn, I was so hard, and I needed relief soon. I flicked it forward so my shaft slapped against her lower abdomen. Her warm laughter filled my ears as I playfully smacked my aching cock against her skin.

  “Chloe, I need to be in you now.”

  “I’m all yours, Wesley.”

  Chloe moved toward me, lining herself up with my rock hard cock. Her body sank on my cock, and she tilted her head back as she moaned. Her grip tightened on my upper arms as she began to bounce on me. Fuck, she felt so good.

  She let go of my arms, and her fingers twisted and gripped my hair as my mouth teased her firm, puckered nipple. I captured her nipple between my teeth and ran my tongue over it while she moaned. I repeated this on her other nipple and by that time, she was ready. My hands went to her waist, and I helped her along with bouncing on my cock.

  “Oh, Wesley!” she moaned and whimpered. “God, Wesley!”

  “Come on, baby,” I encouraged her toward that orgasm.

  I was desperate to feel her pussy contract around my cock. The only sound that could be heard was the slapping noise of our sweaty skin moving against one another. Chloe flung her arms around my shoulders and leaned into me as she ground her swollen clit down against my shaft.

  “Wes...ly!” Chloe cried out.

  Her pussy began pulsating on my cock for a moment until the sensation washed over me and I exploded my warm jizz into the condom.

  “Yes!” I yelled and continued to assist her motions of going up and down on my cock. “Your pussy feels so good, Chloe.”

  My head was buried against her neck, and I began placing kisses on her warm skin. On my lips, I could taste the salty goodness. We collapsed on the bed next to one another as both of us tried to catch our breaths.

  As we lay there, our noisy, rapid panting and gasps for air slowed, and the adrenaline settled. Chloe snuggled up to me and rested her head on my shoulder. I wrapped my arm around her as I lowered my head to kiss her. Her fingertips danced around my chest, and she traced the ink outlining my tattoo.

  I felt so comfortable with Chloe. And it wasn’t just the sex. I felt like we connected well. She told me all of that stuff about how her father molded her for his business. I doubted many people knew that, but she trusted me with it.

  I thought maybe I could tell her about my tattoo and how I got it...but that would lead to more questions, and I wasn’t sure if I was ready for that. And really, I shouldn’t have worried about it. Chloe would go back to London in a few days, and this would all be over.

  It wasn’t supposed to even happen.

  But it did.

  And now, I was trapped feeling something for this woman.

  “Sex with those tablets last night was pretty wild Wesley,” Chloe whispered.

  I laughed while I stroked her arm.

  “Are you suggesting that without the tablets, I wasn’t able to satisfy you?” I teased.

  She playfully slapped my chest before turning her head to kiss the spot she just slapped.

  “Of course not. I was merely commenting on how good it was. Those tablets were pure and enhanced the experience that was already a stellar performance by you, Wesley.”

  Ah, back to business. It was a subtle reminder mixed with a layer of guilt that what I was doing with Chloe was wrong and shouldn’t have happened.

  But it did.

  “So, Van Doorn’s stuff is pretty amazing,” Chloe said with a smile.

  “Yes. Like I said before, I always make the trip to their restaurant to buy mine. It’s the only place I trust.” While I was working on selling the business to Chloe, I decided to throw in some history. “Van Doorn’s has been around the longest in Amsterdam in the ecstasy business. They actually have a family owned and operated lab just outside of the city limits. I’ve never had anything but pure tablets from them. And that’s the reason I trust them. With others, you just never know.”

  “You’re right, Wesley. Or some places will give you the first one that is pure, and then you go back to buy more and it’s not as good of an experience as the first,” she said.

  What struck me funny was that both of us knew more about the business than we were letting on.

  “Some sellers will even put dangerous as fuck ingredients in to substitute,�
�� I added.

  “Yes! That’s so shady.”

  “Yeah, and dangerous. And no one holds them accountable. It’s not like a buyer will go to the authorities with it.” Chloe moved her head up and down on my chest as she nodded to agree with me. “Plus, some cheaper sellers may have various suppliers.”

  “Unknown suppliers.”

  Time to sell again.

  “That’s why I only trust Van Doorn’s. Since they have their own lab, I know it’s good and trustworthy. The last thing I want on my hands is uncertainty with tablets at a party or on a date.”

  Chloe lifted her head and tilted it upward to look at me.

  “And I’m sure your dates are very grateful for that,” she giggled and then let her head crash back to my shoulder.

  “What? It’s not like this is a habit for me,” I innocently said. “I don’t just go out to party and go home with anyone.”

  Her sweet laughter filled the room while she teased me. She reached under the sheet and grabbed my cock and playfully shook it.

  “I’m sure Wesley Berlin doesn’t have a lineup of women at his door every night,” she sarcastically remarked.

  “I don’t.”

  “Come on, Wesley. You can tell me. I bet you have lots of women each week.”

  “Sorry to disappoint you, but no. I don’t.”

  “Strapping young man like yourself hasn’t fucked his way around Amsterdam?” I shook my head at her as I laughed. “I don’t even know how old you are, Wesley.”

  “Twenty-five.”

  “You’re a nice guy. I’m surprised some woman hasn’t attached herself to you or shoved a ring on your finger.”

  I shook my head again. I wasn’t a nice guy. I was pretending that I didn’t know who she was and, in the process, I felt like I was betraying my family.

  “Just because I look desirable, doesn’t mean that I am, sweetheart. I don’t fit the boyfriend mold.”

  “Well, I don’t fit the girlfriend mold either.”

  Chloe continued to run her fingers over my tattoo again as I stroked her back. I wished there was a way she and I could be together. But it’s just not in the stars. She lived in London, I lived here. Both of us were devoted to our families, which was our way of life.

  It would never work out.