Stepbrothers Stepping Out: With His Client Read online

  Stepbrothers Stepping Out: With His Client

  Delilah Devlin

  Contents

  About the Story

  Stepbrothers Stepping Out: With His Client

  About Delilah Devlin

  More Short Stories

  Also by Delilah Devlin

  With His SEAL Team

  About the Story

  A woman tempts a Russian strongman to save her stepbrother’s company…

  Note: This 7,000-word short story is very, very sexy! You’ve been warned!

  If you love this shorty, but would like a longer, meatier adventure, be sure to check out my Montana Bounty Hunters series!

  For more short stories by Delilah Devlin, check out the list following this story!

  Stepbrothers Stepping Out: With His Client

  Looking through a carved wooden screen at the man my brother sent me to “soften up”, I shivered—but not completely out of fear. A couple of the many bits of information I’d gleaned from my research into this man, the meanings behind his names, popped into my mind as almost everything else I’d learned fled. His first name, Fedor, meant “powerful ruler.” His last name, Medved, meant “bear.” Well, the breadth of his shoulders certainly betrayed an ominous physical power, something required for a man who’d begun his career as “muscle” for a powerful Russian oligarch.

  Again, I wondered how on earth my brother thought, even for a second, that this man could be turned from a minor client, who’d needed our financial services to simply move money when he’d first arrived in New York, into an investor in our strapped firm. But Brian had exhausted his list of more likely marks.

  “Lila, is he there?”

  My brother’s voice sounded strained. He was driving around the block, taking his time while I was supposed to charm the giant in the expensive suit. “This isn’t going to work if you don’t get out of my ear,” I grumbled.

  “Tell him I’m finding parking.”

  Feeling breathless, I swiped the screen of my phone then slid it into my purse. No more distractions. I was already nervous enough. Again, I reminded myself why he’d sent me as his proxy. Fedor hadn’t exactly been impressed with my brother when they’d first met. In fact, he’d been so dismissive that Brian had wondered why Fedor had even bothered accepting the invitation to dinner. The Russian had to know Brian would hit him up again for the loan, which he’d already refused to approve. Why would I throw good money after bad? he’d said, his expression so hard and set, Brian hadn’t been able to get a read on the man.

  I drew a deep breath and stepped from behind the screen into the dining room. As soon as he saw me winding through the tables toward him, his dark gaze narrowed.

  My heart began to flutter inside my chest. Brian was crazy. No way was Fedor going to be more amenable to me than he’d been with Brian. This man was no one’s fool.

  When I drew nearer the table, he stood and pulled out the chair next to him, not across from him. Damn. Placing me so close, he meant to intimidate me. I lowered to the chair and let him slide it the rest of the way forward. When he took his seat, our elbows touched. I ignored the way my heart jumped and set my clutch on the table beside my plate.

  “Where is Brian?” he asked in his deeply accented baritone.

  I gave him a sideways glance. “Parking the car.”

  “He could have used the valet service.”

  I blushed, knowing he’d see through any excuse I gave for Brian. “My brother thought we should meet.” Again, I glanced at him, and my gaze stayed. His face was large—yes, in proportion to the rest of his body, but this close, he seemed like a giant.

  “Brian is not your brother…” he said, his words slowing.

  So, he’d done his own research. I tipped up my chin. “Not by blood.”

  “And not raised as siblings.”

  What was he getting at? Did he know we were occasional lovers? “No, my mother married his father when Brian and I were both teenagers, nearly out of high school.”

  The Russian sat back in his chair. “So, your brother sends his bookkeeper. Why would I want to talk to you? You’re not very good at your job.”

  I bristled. I wasn’t just a bookkeeper. I had my masters in accounting from The Wharton School. I was the company’s Chief Financial Officer. But he was right. I hadn’t been very good at my job, since I’d failed to persuade my brother to contain his spending habits. We were drowning in debt. Deciding his question about why I was here had been rhetorical, I remained silent.

  “Does he think I can be swayed by a pretty face?” he asked, his voice lowering.

  The hard edge told me that if I confirmed his suspicion we were done. “I’m not here to persuade you,” I said softly, knowing my cheeks were nearly as red as my face.

  “Then, as a distraction?”

  I swallowed and decided to ignore the innuendo, however accurate his assessment of my brother’s ploy. “I know there’s no hope for our company. We’ll go bankrupt and be forced to sell off assets to satisfy the court. However, my brother isn’t there yet.”

  “He offered me a third of the company…”

  I jerked. Brian hadn’t mentioned that. I owned thirty percent. Even if Fedor had a full third, my brother would still hold onto control. He’d expect me to back him. Afterall, Burton’s had been built by his family. I’d only been given my shares because his father had been inordinately fond of his fourth wife…

  “Tell me why I should consider his offer, and why I shouldn’t insist on more…”

  Again, I swallowed and lifted my gaze to meet his. “You shouldn’t,” I whispered, unable to lie. Not when his face was as hard as marble, and his eyes so cold goosebumps prickled across my arms.

  He blinked once then sat back again. “We should order.”

  I sat nearly gasping at his quick change of subject. I was the far from hungry, but I didn’t dare demur. He raised a finger and a server appeared beside his elbow. He ordered for both of us, something that would have irked me with any other man, but when he’d finished, he lifted a brow, likely wondering if I’d protest. I gave him a small smile and looked away.

  His large hand reached across me and picked up my purse. Then he handed it to me. “Call your brother.”

  Dinner was excruciating. I played with my food until Fedor tapped my plate with his fork. “The potatoes au gratin are delicious.”

  I barely suppressed the urge to stick out my tongue, because I would have preferred a salad, but I dutifully took a bite, and then another. Of course, he was right. The food was excellent. The rare steak, potatoes, and grilled asparagus were the plainest items on the menu. Looking at his frame, I could see he’d need plenty of unadorned protein and carbs for fuel.

  Throughout dinner, Brian tried every tactic in his arsenal of charm to figure out how to impress the Russian, but his shoulders slumped before dessert arrived.

  Although Brian had arranged the dinner, Fedor paid the check. His actions, his words were terse by that point, and I felt a headache coming on because the tension at the table was palpable, and I knew my brother was feeling defeated and would likely want my company to console him. However, the last place I wanted to be this night was in his bed. Too many emotions stirred inside me—resentment toward Brian for putting us in this position and a stirring of arousal, because I couldn’t deny a growing fascination for the Russian.

  After the server returned his card, Fedor stood. Brian rose slowly. I wasn’t eager to stand, but when Fedor touched the back of my chair, and his fingers glanced against my bared shoulder, I drew a breath and stood as gracefully as I could manage, given my nerves were shattered.

  “Tomorr
ow, I am flying to the Caymans,” Fedor said. His gaze cut to me. “Is your passport up to date?”

  My eyes widened. “Of course,” I blurted. I began to turn to Brian, thinking maybe he was offering us another chance to convince him to invest, that he wanted both of us to travel with him.

  But Fedor snapped his fingers to pull my attention back. “Just you. A car will pick you up in the morning. Be ready at nine.”

  And with that, he left.

  I stood with my mouth agape, watching him stride away. When he was out of sight, what remained of my spine stiffened. “The nerve!”

  Brian remained silent.

  I shot him a look. “It’s ridiculous. How could he think—”

  “Lila, you have to go.” He blinked and took my hand. “We should go to your place.”

  Still reeling, I stared. “Look, I’m not in the mood, tonight.”

  He rolled his eyes. “To go through your closet. If I leave you to pack, you’ll bring your ugliest sweats.”

  I wrinkled my nose. “I like being comfortable.”

  “You like hiding.” His gaze raked over my figure. “I was right about the red dress. Trust me about the rest of this.”

  As we left the restaurant, I pulled on his hand, halting in the middle of the street. “You know he’ll want to sleep with me.”

  His eyebrows rose. “Will that be a problem?”

  Had I been that transparent? Brian knew me too well. I was attracted to the big Russian. And well, it wasn’t like Brian and I were exclusive. Our sexual relationship was more of a convenience, for both of us. Still, I would have liked for him to defend me. “I suppose he’s not a complete monster…” I muttered, remembering his large, shovel-like hands. Good Lord, my mind went there.

  “You’re our last chance, Lila.”

  I shook my head. “You do know he’s likely only playing with us. He’s not going to give us the loan. No matter how much head I give him.”

  Brian framed my face with his hands and kissed me. “I know,” he whispered. “But we have to try.”

  Back at my place, I sat on the edge of the bed while he rifled through my closet, tossing out items for me to try on, and then accessorizing things he approved. He’d always liked to dress me. Sometimes, I thought perhaps his father should have let him play with dolls as a child, because now, I had to suffer through his meticulous attention to detail regarding my wardrobe.

  Anything nice and pricey that hung inside my closet was something he’d given me. I detested shopping.

  At last, one suitcase was packed. “I wish I knew how long he intended to keep you,” he murmured, eyeing my body as I stood in my underwear.

  “Do you even hear yourself?” I asked, knowing his gaze was lingering on my meager breasts. “We barely know him, and you’re letting me leave the country with him.”

  He frowned. “I hadn’t thought about that. Still, he doesn’t seem the type to kidnap and sell a woman on the black market. Besides, he has businesses here. If you don’t come back, he’d know I’d go straight to the police.” He shook his head. His gaze slid lower. “No, I think he likes you.”

  “I’m sure the man can get his own dates,” I said testily. But I liked the way Brian’s eyes grew smoky with desire. Thoughts of standing like this for Fedor freaked me out. Brian, I could handle. His attraction was a balm to my confidence. “All that man has to do is point and throw money at whatever he wants.”

  Brian stared at me, frowning. “You’re too tense. You need a good night’s sleep.”

  I wouldn’t sleep a wink. The second my brother was gone, I’d be at my computer, worrying about the company’s numbers, paying my own bills, anything to keep from thinking about what tomorrow would bring.

  He grabbed my hand and pulled me toward the bed. “I’ll give you a massage.”

  I dragged my feet. “Massage” was code for sex—and was how “innocent” massages had led to light foreplay when we’d been teenagers. But now, the thought of having sex with Brian was more enticing than it had been earlier in the evening. Fedor Medved might own me tomorrow, but tonight, I had a choice. I tugged my hand free then removed my bra and panties. When I was nude, I flounced past my brother, who was busy cloaking himself, pulled back the comforter and top sheet, then crawled to the center of my bed.

  A minute later, he stretched over me, his weight and the heat of his skin acting like the best anti-anxiety meds. My heartrate slowed. My breaths deepened.

  His torso supported on his elbows, he framed my face with his hands. “I should shave you.”

  I rolled my eyes. “I’m groomed.”

  “He might want you nude. I like a bit of ruff,” he said, gliding his cock against the trimmed fur cloaking my labia.

  “If he wants me nude, he can shave me himself.”

  He arched a brow. “I don’t perceive any hesitance. You want him.” His eyes narrowed. “Is it his size?”

  “Think I care about a big cock?”

  “You like mine well enough. Maybe you’re ready for an upgrade.”

  My brother wasn’t huge, but there was plenty of length and girth to satisfy me. “He’s so big, he’s probably lazy. He’ll expect service.”

  Brian hummed. “Is that where I failed? I didn’t find the sub hiding inside you?”

  I kept my expression carefully neutral, because the second he’d said that, I realized he’d hit upon the truth. I secretly hoped the Russian demanded submission. In fact, right now, my pussy released a gush of approval of that idea.

  His cock nudged my entrance then pulsed against it, soaking the cap. “You’re wet just thinking about him forcing you to your knees.”

  I shook my head then let loose a nervous giggle. “He wouldn’t push me to the floor. All he’d have to do is point.”

  Brian stroked inward, and I gasped. My walls closed around him, hugging him inside. “If this doesn’t work,” he whispered, “we’re done, Lila. Is that what you want? Both of us looking for new jobs? I’ll have to sell the house, all my assets, just to afford something in the damn suburbs. I’ll have neighbors…” He made a face and thrust again, this time with more power.

  “Your dad’s friends will help you find something,” I said, scratching my nails down his back.

  “They’ll give me some made-up VP job. Something in sales. Something without any real responsibility, because I failed.” He closed his eyes and moved faster, his cock driving deep and hard. “But they’ll talk. A few might try to throw their ugly daughters at me, because they’ll know I’m desperate.”

  “You’re a child,” I said, panting. I scooted my heels up the mattress then lifted my ass, meeting his thrusts, quickening to match his rhythm. Friction heated my inner walls. I shoved a finger into the top of my folds and rubbed my clit.

  “He’ll like that face you make,” he bit out, powering faster. “You look exotic, like a sexy whore.”

  I gave him a glare even though this was just his bed-talk. He liked insulting me. Liked angering me, because when I fought him even the littlest bit, he got off faster. What did that say about him? About us? I didn’t care. I toggled my finger faster and closed my eyes.

  I could tell he was close. His motions shortened, sharpened. With one last rub, I came, arching beneath him.

  Brian muffled his shout against my shoulder. Like always. Like he’d done when he’d slipped into my room during the summers when he’d returned from college and didn’t want our parents to know we fucked. Not that they would have cared. They’d had their friends, their parties, their travels. We were left with staff…and each other.

  Brian sagged against my body, and I wrapped my arms around him. “I’ll do this,” I said. “I’ll try to seduce the loan out of him. But you and I both know, I’m not good at playing games.”

  “Thank you, Lila,” he said.

  I drew a deep breath. “Would it be so bad…?”

  He jerked up his head. “What? Losing everything?” His eyes filled. “Yes, Lila. For me, it would be very, very ba
d. I’d never recover my reputation.” And since I’d never had one to begin with, I conceded I really didn’t understand his pain and humiliation. My mother had been a cocktail waitress until she’d become the fourth Mrs. Burton. Their “set” had always looked at me as though they’d expected me to cheapen before their eyes. “You’d better go,” I said, feigning a yawn.

  “I’ll set your alarm. You’ll need to bathe first thing.” He rolled out of bed, bent over me to kiss my mouth, then he bent over my mound and kissed it. Like he was wishing my pussy good luck.

  I rolled my eyes as he left the room.

  The flight lasted forever. When I’d boarded, I’d been shown a seat in front while he’d disappeared into a conference room in the back of the plane. The steward was attentive, but I wasn’t hungry, wasn’t thirsty. To stop him coming back to me, I reclined my leather seat, pulled a blanket over me, and closed my eyes. Not that I slept. Occasionally, I glanced out the window at the sunny sky far above the dark blanket of clouds below us.

  When the steward came to ask me to return my seat to the upright position in preparation for landing, only then did I realize I’d actually slept. Fedor was seated across from me.

  I wondered how long he’d been there and whether he’d watched me. I rubbed a hand over my face and was relieved I hadn’t drooled.

  “We’ll land soon,” he said. “There’s a storm.”

  We’d entered the clouds, and turbulence bounced us in our seats. “I’m guessing then we won’t have much beach time,” I said, just to make conversation.

  “We were never going to have much beach time,” he drawled.

  A flush spread across my cheeks, and I glanced away, but he tucked a finger beneath my chin and turned my face. “You will never hide from me.”

  I drew a slow breath. My nipples prickled. Just from the sharp edge of his voice. I met his gaze and did my best not to blink.