Echoes of Desire: Dance of Deception

~BRIANNA~

*With a shift, I let my dress slip from my shoulders and fall to the floor, revealing the lingerie beneath. Nathan's eyes darkened, as closing the small distance between us, his lips claimed mine in a possessive kiss, his tongue tangling with mine, both hungry and tender. Then, slowly, oh so tantalizingly slowly, he backed me toward the bed, his kisses travelling down my neck, across my collarbone, before they moved lower still, his teeth grazing the sensitive tips of my nipples.*

*Afterward, as he laid us on the bed, my moans joined the sound of fabric tearing as Nathan ripped my panties off.*

*With a gasp, I arched off the bed, my arousal growing, further dampening my already swollen and wet folds. As his mouth found my center, I bit down my lip to keep from screaming out in pleasure.

His tongue, a masterful artist, began stroking and teasing until I was writhing beneath him, begging for more.*

*My nails dug into his shoulders, leaving half-moons on his skin as I felt myself climbing toward my orgasm. My stomach tightened with my need, and just when I thought I couldn't possibly take any more, he pulled away and entered me in a swift, powerful thrust. His hips began rocking into mine with a rhythm as old as time itself-each stroke sent waves of ecstasy throughout my body, building towards my release...*

The sound of shattering glass jerked me awake, and I rolled over, my eyes immediately swinging about the moonlit room and landing on Mr. Friskies, his feline eyes blinking innocently at me, a shattered vase lying before him on the floor.

With a groan, I flopped back on my makeshift bed and closed my eyes, my body still pulsing with arousal from the erotic dream.

~~

Two hours later, Nathan Pierce's velvety voice purred across the phone from my voicemail. "Where *are* you? Why didn't you take my call? Well, anyway, it appears we may have another victim. I'm out headed to the scene now."

As always, my insides melted at the sound of his voice. God, it was the sexiest damn thing on the planet, and pure poison to me. From the moment I'd laid eyes on Nathan again, I knew I was in trouble...deep, deep, trouble. At thirty-four, six-foot-two, two-hundred-thirty pounds, with thick, lustrous, slightly wavy, black hair, plus a sinful smile that could make a nun cream her panties, Nathan was everything wet dreams were made of, and my stepbrother.

We had been lovers once. But three years ago, life had stepped in the way and I'd moved back to Oklahoma after my mom had been diagnosed with stage four breast cancer. I'd left under a veil of uncertainty; I didn't know if or when I'd be back. I didn't regret the disruption of my life in my mom's time of need, as it had given me those last few precious years with her, but when I had returned to my old job within the bureau, I found Nathan had married: the fact had broken my heart.

The easy camaraderie we had once shared as step-siblings, partners, and lovers, was gone. Instead, the relationship we had now was...strained.

Earlier, after showering-washing away any remnants of the erotic dream-I'd entered the living room and glanced at my phone, seeing I had a message. As I'd peered at the screen, surprise had jolted through me at seeing Nathan's name. What the hell? I couldn't help thinking. Nathan never called me...at least, not anymore. The thought ricocheted around in my head like a ping-pong ball in a box, and instantly I'd felt a sinking in my gut...knowing if he was calling...it meant bad news-we no longer had the type of relationship that would make his call otherwise.

At one time... Well, anyway-tightening my towel a little more securely, my hair dripping all over my shoulders and arms, I'd listened to his message.

Now, half an hour later, pumping gas in my pickup, my phone vibrated in my pocket. Carrying the phone to my ear, I answered and Nathan immediately started shouting, "Where the hell are you?"

For minutes he paused, then growled, "Never mind, It doesn't matter. I'm headed to the office, and you damn well better be there when I get there, and don't kid yourself that I won't write your ass up for insubordination if you aren't!"

Pinching my eyes shut, I shook my head. "Are you finished?" Was he wanting a fight? Yeah, I could so go there.

Nathan growled something else, but his words were drowned out by a car coming to a stop in the lane before me. Its radio was blaring, and the speakers thumping.

I clenched my teeth at the driver's obvious disregard for others.

"What?" I gritted out. "I didn't hear you."

At the same time as I yelled the words, I shot an aggravated glance at the long line of cars waiting to inch their way forward and through the stoplight. I'd been waiting for my chance to pull out of the gas station, but I was quickly losing patience. It appeared everyone in town had taken the same road at the same time, creating a bottleneck at the traffic light.

"I said-" Nathan started, before snapping instead, "Goddammit, Brianna-what are you still fourteen? Turn that loud-ass shit off, will ya?"

All the emotional pain I'd felt over the last few weeks exploded into a temper-tantrum. "For real? You must be a fucking idiot if you think I'd listen to my music that freaking loud. You have to be the most, deaf, blind and I'm thinking, the dumbest jackass I've ever met Nathan Pierce, and right now-I don't like you much, so write my ass up," I shouted.

Several seconds of silence passed, and I heard the frustrated breath he heaved on the other end. "Where the hell are you?" he finally muttered.

The words had no more slipped past his lips, when I spotted his pickup as he turned the corner. He was heading toward where I sat waiting for my turn to pull out onto the road, and I snarled, "At the goddamn gas station right damn in front of you!" Afterward, I hit the end call button, and tossed the phone in the seat beside me. As Nathan drove past in front of me, I glared at him through the windshield of my pickup, as he glared back at me through the passenger window of his.

~~

As I grumbled to myself about full-of-themselves jerks, I followed Nathan to the bureau. Then, after parking, I fell into step beside him as we made our way toward the bureau. Our anger with each other wrapped around us like an afghan wrapped around a Grandma, and after entering the bullpen, he stalked off toward his office. I followed several steps behind, still grumbling. Man, his mood was black this morning, but mine was darker!

Entering his office, I came to a stop, taking in the papers he was tossing with an uncaring attitude toward his desk from the filing cabinet. As he continued to toss papers, I watched as some hit the desk, while others fell to the floor.

After a few seconds of demonstrating his foul mood, he looked up, barking at me. "Where the hell is the Aikins file?"

"You're acting like a big baby," I snapped back, glowering at him as I crossed my arms over my chest. He wanted to be an ass...let's see who could be the biggest.

Eyes rolling and a snarl curling his upper lip, he snapped, "Get the damn file for me without any lip. Okay?"

I raised an eyebrow and just looked at him without moving an inch. "Can we say, pretty please?" I drawled, my tone that of what one would use with a preschooler.

Nathan's jaw dropped, and his eyes bugged. "Are you fucking kidding me?"

I shook my head, the movement firm and unyielding. "Nope. You want me to help you find the file, say pretty please."

He gave another eye-roll before, snarling out, "Fine. Pretty please, Brianna. Will you find the Aikins file for me?"

Marching over to the cabinet where he stood, I shoved him aside. Then, pulling out the drawer marked with the letters A-D, I reached into the A section and pulled out the file needed. Turning, I stomped over to his desk, and slapped the file down on its surface, further disturbing the mess. "Hmm, imagine that-it was in the A's for Aikins. That is spelled A-i-k-i-n-s!"

Pushing aside all the other papers strewn about the top of his desk, he ignored my sarcasm, however, grunted his thanks. Opening the file, he sank into his chair and dug through the file's contents. After a few minutes, he glanced up to where I was still standing. A dark frown appeared across his features as he eyed me. "Sit, dammit."

Heat infused my whole body, and the hair ruffled on the back of my neck. "I'm not a fucking dog! Don't you dare talk to me like I am!" I snapped.

After my outburst, the only sound heard in the room was the slap of paper as Nathan flipped pages. Finally, letting out a breath, he raised his hands, then using his index fingers, he rubbed at his temples, as if his head hurt. Afterward shoving his chair back, he lurched from the seat and stalked over to stare at the wall of flat-screen TVs.

For seconds, he stood, motionless, gazing at their blank faces, his breathing erratic. Finally, he turned to face me, "I'm sorry."

"I'm sorry too. Now, you wanna tell me what the hell's eating at you?" I said softly.

Nathan gazed at me for several seconds, then muttered, "No."