Red followed Dembe down the long hall, nearing the conference rooms. "Did Mark say what he wanted?"
"He was approached about taking on a new shipper earlier. He would value your input, seeing as you frequently do business in the area."
"And did he say who it was that approached him?"
"He did not."
They rounded the corner, finding Mark Donovan waiting at the door for them.
He smiled at who ever was in the room behind him, closing the door before walking down the corridor to greet Red and Dembe.
Mark was a remarkable young man with piercing green eyes and an intelligent brow. He had the physique of a Roman God, and swagger of a man who was confident in his abilities.
"Who is it?" Red asked.
"A woman, Ariana Sanchez." Mark began the tale. "She came to me earlier about taking on Gabriel Ramirez." he explained. "He was to begin shipping for Anne, but..."
Red's brows rose, his interest immediate.
He'd heard about Ramirez, but had not worked with him as of yet. He had relied on Fermin to handle most of his shipping needs, but Fermin handled the Western portion mainly. And since Red had not been in need of the Eastern portion at that time...he had put off securing anyone.
Until now.
Ramirez and his bunch were quite good at their jobs. Red had heard in passing, that not one shipment had gone missing or was damaged and these men were very serious about product arriving intact and on time. No matter what they had to do to ensure that scenario.
"I want to meet her."
"You and the rest of the hotel." Mark mumbled, flashing a quick grin before beginning the route to the Conference Room he had booked. "She's quite beautiful."
The three men entered the room, Red's eyes zeroing in on the woman immediately.
She was indeed stunning. A true Spanish beauty with bronzed skin, soft and delicate features, long flowing brown hair down to her waist and an amazing figure.
She sat straight in her chair, holding Red's gaze as though she was used to being ogled. And while he did enjoy her beauty, he was looking past that, seeing beyond what others focused on.
While she held a dignified air, she was definitely nervous. And grew more so under his unwavering attention.
She adjusted in her seat, moving her large natural breasts in a bid to break his scrutiny, but it only seemed to heighten his awareness.
"Ms. Sanchez." Red greeted, holding out his hand to her. "I am Raym–"
"Raymond Reddington, yes. I know." she smiled engagingly.
He had to give it to the girl. She was holding it together well.
Her hand had been slightly damp and her posture a bit rigid, but it certainly could not have been the dozen pair of eyes undressing her.
Men were often swayed by her voluptuous figure, shapely legs and flowing locks. She was used to it and paid them no mind.
It wasn't until Red walked into the room that she put up her front. If he was new to the game, he might have missed it, but when you had been on his side of things for twenty plus years. He saw her for what she was.
Someone was playing messenger.
The others were too busy drooling over the girl to hear much of what she was actually saying anyway. Red pulled the seat out opposite her, focusing her attention where it should be...
On him.
"What is it that we can do for you, Ms. Sanchez?"
"Oh, please," she smiled warmly, "call me Ariana."
Red smiled in return, though not for the reasons for which she assumed. He would let her fall back on what made her comfortable, until it became a distraction. But if it helped her get some confidence back... it didn't hurt anything. Yet.
"All right, Ariana." the deep baritone rumbled almost intimately, leaving the woman wondering what he sounded like in the bedroom after a good tumble. "Tell me, what is it that you're here for?"
She gave a quick background on Gabriel Ramirez and his crew and answered some of Red's questions until they were interrupted by a phone call.
"Excuse me for a moment." she batted long lashes charmingly, stepping a couple feet away.
Red turned in his chair, staring off vacantly, totally focused on the one sided conversation. She spoke quickly and fluently in her native language.
As her conversation continued and a quick check of the room assured her no one was listening, she assumed that no one understood her language, speaking more freely.
Apparently not one of them had paid attention in high school Spanish.
She hissed into the phone, then lowered her voice. But Red had heard enough.
"Mark, clear the room." he requested sotto voce.
Mark questioned the man with a look.
Red pointed at the others talking amongst themselves. "They're holding back our deal because she can't talk freely. Get them out."
Mark gaped, then pointed at himself in mock consternation.
"If you would just me a few moments alone with her, I would appreciate it." Red smiled unassumingly. "I'll find you later and fill you in." he assured.
Mark shrugged, pushing back from the table. "Gentlemen, why don't we go visit the bar, maybe have a smoke?" he gestured to the door. He threw Red an amused smirk when not one of the men present, questioned why they were leaving.
Red pushed back his own chair, conferring quietly with his friend. "Dembe, if you would check on Lizzy for me."
Dembe offered a slight incline of his head, the dark eyes transferring to the still occupied woman.
"I know what she wants. You know what she wants." Raymond sing-songed his head. "I'll secure the deal and be with you shortly."
Dembe left the room, leaving the two remaining occupants alone.
Red sat back in his chair, listening as Ariana finished off her conversation, summarily clicking the phone shut.
"I do apologize. Business you know." she smiled charmingly, retracing her steps to her former seat.
Red enquired, in her own language, if there were any problems with which he could assist.
The bronze complexion paled visibly. Red simply smiled.
"Now, tell me. What proposal is Gabriel offering?"
She deflated a bit in her chair, then gave him the run down. Gabriel was in trouble.
There hadn't been many shipments lately of any real cash value, with others cutting into the supply. Gabriel was worried because he had a crew to keep employed and more importantly, fed.
"Are they limited to the East?" Red asked.
"No, they will deliver where product is needed."
"And how many are in his crew?"
Ariana sighed, "We had twelve in the compound, but now there are only nine, plus Gabriel."
Red waited patiently for her to finish the story.
"The others left. Unhappy with lack of production." she frowned at their lack of loyalty. "We live well, but they wanted better."
"I'm not traveling down that way for a couple weeks, and when I do, I'll be on vacation." Red explained. His eyes softened when Ariana bit her lip anxiously.
She was certain she had screwed up securing her people work.
Red set his fingers under her chin, raising the beautiful face, "I planned on taking seven days off... but after that time, if Gabriel is so inclined, I would like to fly him there to discuss more with him and finalize a deal."
Ariana took a deep breath, her eyes lifting immediately, hope shining within the dark depths. "Really?"
"Yes, now, why don't you call him back and see when it would be a good time for him to meet."
She snatched her phone off the table, dialing quickly. She spoke excitedly, relaying the information, until Red gestured for the phone.
Gabriel had a few jobs lined up and would be free after that. He would have a better understanding of his time frame when Red headed South. The man was very pleased about the upcoming meeting with Red Reddington.
After swapping information, Red bid the gentleman a good evening, before ending the call.
Ariana was practically vibrating with enthusiasm by the time he sat the phone down. She had done well by her people and Reddington seemed like a good associate to have on their side.
He stood, smiling down at the woman then helped her from her chair. "Thank you for taking a chance on us, Mr. Reddington. We will not let you down."
Imagine the man's surprise, when the Latin beauty impulsively leaned into him, the full lips latching securely onto his unsuspecting ones.
Even more of a surprise, she kissed as good as she looked. Normally, that wasn't the case. The more beautiful the woman, the less she put into it, thinking her looks were enough.
But Ariana gave it her all.
Red inclined his head, allowing the physical pleasure for a long moment. Wrapping his arm around her small waist, he pulled her tighter into him. When her tongue flicked his lips seductively, he opened for her.
The dance continued, both teasing one other until the woman herself, moved his hand down to the curve of her shapely ass.
Cupping the supple flesh, Red effortlessly lifted her to the Conference table, deepening the sensual kiss.
Spreading her legs, Red stepped between them, more than pleased to feel her hook a leg around his ass, pulling him into the cradle of her thighs. Raking his bulge against her center, the woman moaned, her legs opening wider.
Her hands stroked him, giving Red exactly what he had been needing. The sensual and sexual touch of a female.
Ariana gasped, baring his chest, skirting her fingers through the wealth of soft down found there.
Red freed her bountiful breasts, his darkened eyes taking in the supple flesh, his palm flattening against her warm skin as he lay her back unto the table.
He surveyed the beauty unveiled, his hands cupping the firm mounds, his fingers pulling the pert nipples. The sensation sent a jolt to his pulsing cock.
He gently kneaded, squeezing the firm plumpness experimentally. A soft whimper from her beautiful lips urged him on. He grasped her hips, dragging her roughly into position.
"I'm going to fuck you so hard." he snarled, reaching under her skirt, palming her full ass cheek as she moved into his touch.
Red grunted his approval. Her small hand cupped the crotch that had been teasing her so effectively, massaging the quickly hardening length.
Her fingers pulled at his belt and zipper.
Red reached under her full skirt, removing her panties in one effortless move. The woman's deft fingers slid into the expensive silk of his boxers, stroking his erection, teasing his thickened head.
"God..." he hissed, pushing hard into her touch.
He grabbed at his jacket, pulling a condom free just as her warm fingers released him from his confinement.
Yanking his arms free of his jacket sleeves, he dropped it carelessly to the floor. He tore the foil packet open, rolling the protection in place with practiced ease.
Palming her tiny hips in his hands, he yanked the woman closer, catching her cry of desire in his mouth as his erection brushed her slit.
Leaning his weight into one arm, he laced his fingers through hers. His other hand grasped the hem of her skirt, bunching the soft material up around her waist. Ariana's hips rocked up in open invitation just as his cock lined up with her moist offering...
The scent of aroused female filled his senses...
Shit... his jaw clenched tightly, the man's entire system shutting down.
What the fuck Reddington?
"I can't..." Grunting painfully, his body shook, his craving increasing when he felt her damp, wet heat rake his cock head.
Ariana massaged his erection lovingly, her hand halting uncertainly when she felt his abrupt retreat. "Is something wrong?" her voice shook with the emotion he had evoked.
His eyes shut tightly, his jaw clenching inflexibly. "I can't do this."
Squeezing the small hand in his, he fought for control until he finally had the will to pull away. Taking a deep shaky breath, he lifted off the delectable little body, releasing the grip on her hand, instead curling his fingers tightly into the hard wood of the table.
"Did I do something wrong?" Ariana stroked him harder, desperately hoping to please him. His shaft was hot and thick, she could feel him throbbing through the thin sheath of the condom.
He shook his head with undisguised turmoil. "You did nothing wrong." he panted. "I did... I'm wrong." he shuddered when she stroked him, teasing his sensitive head.
He placed his hand over hers, halting any further movement.
This felt wrong.
But he was so confused. Why should it feel wrong?
What the fuck was his problem! There was a insanely beautiful woman right here, with her legs opened, more than ready for him. So why had he stopped?
You know why you stopped.
Ariana smelled wonderful. Her arousal was more than enticing.
But Lizzy...
Elizabeth was captivating...alluring...mesmerizing. He kept close to her all night, because he couldn't get enough of her scent. He awoke periodically, just to nuzzle her neckline... to inhale that womanly aroma.
He had never smelled anything so sweet, so pure... he had never wanted anything more than to make Elizabeth his, to claim her as his own...
Elizabeth is all he wanted.
Lizzy was all he needed...
Red stepped back, gripping his cock, urging the ramrod erection to recede.
"Dammit!" Red pulled at the unused condom, flinging it into a nearby trash can.
Ariana hurriedly arose from her prone position, raking the long hair out of her face. Her expression was one of concern. She modestly rearranged her clothing, the dark eyes never once leaving the man's face.
Red sensed her distress, feeling bad for the woman.
"It's not you." he breathed his relief, as his erection finally started to ease, "I'm a bastard. A fucking rotten bastard." he trembled visibly, the pain finally making itself known.
Had he been having regular sex, it would just be a mild annoyance. But after the ever present 'cock tease' he'd had for the last month and being denied real relief, the man was left with a deep ache in his balls.
"What can I do to help?" she was genuinely sincere.
He waved the issue briskly aside, bringing his breath under control. "I never should have allowed..."
"I started it." she admitted freely.
"I'm engaged." he blurted, as his erection slowly deflated, allowing him to slip it back inside his pants and it would damn well stay where it belonged.
Ariana inhaled sharply, "Oh! No one told me. I hadn't heard." she felt horrible.
"She was hurt and I..." Red didn't know why he continued to talk. "We couldn't... and I guess I just got caught up in the moment."
"It's okay. You didn't do anything." Ariana smiled softly, further adjusting her person. "Trust me, if I thought you were an asshole, I'd tell you." she laughed shortly, then sobered. "You just miss touching her and being touched. And you slipped a little." she shrugged slender shoulders. "But you stopped yourself." she reminded encouragingly.
Well, that much was true at least. He sure as hell had 'slipped' a little.
He had to figure this out. He either had to tell Elizabeth how he felt and accept her rejection so he could move on, once and for all. Or just push her to the private little corner of his brain, fuck someone and deal with how he felt after that.
Neither option sounded ideal.
Red buttoned his shirt, "I apologize, Ariana."
"No need, as I said. I started it." she smiled understandably. "I didn't realize how... riveting you were in person." she chuckled softly, striving for a lightness she did not feel. "I do hope this doesn't change your plans for–"
"No. No," he assured her quickly, "I want to speak to Gabriel."
He was just fastening the last button on his shirt when a knock on the door interrupted the conversation.
Francis peaked his head around the corner. "Oh... I was looking for... you." his voice trailed away as he took in the scene.
Red thanked God he had stopped. If he hadn't, he would have been balls deep in Ariana when Francis just blithely waltzed in, as was his habit these days.
"What?" Red snapped at the man hovering at the door.
Francis slowly stepped into the room examining the two occupants critically. He pulled a handkerchief from his pocket, slapping it into Red's chest.
"You better wipe that lipstick off before Lizzy sees it."
Shit... Red took the white cloth, rubbing his lips clean.
"Please do not say anything to her." Ariana pleaded. "I kissed him... I didn't know he was engaged. It is my fault. I was just so excited about..."
"Ariana..." Red halted the stilted explanation, his mood dark.
Francis looked between the two, then bent over, coming back up, casually tossing Ariana's panties on the table.
Fuck... Red looked at the tiny scrap of cloth, his thoughts stagnated.
"Please, he did nothing wrong." Ariana begged Francis to understand, balling the flimsy material in her clenched fists quickly.
"Ariana, I will handle this." Red's tone stopped the woman from speaking further. He was the one at fault, not her. He wouldn't let her take the fall for his mistake.
"If you would be so kind as to inform Gabriel I will expect his call." he smiled gently at the woman. "The details will be worked out later."
She nodded solemnly, taking her leave, with but one look of total remorse before closing the door behind her.
Well, she was certainly loyal. Red could appreciate such a virtue.
"What the fuck, Red!" Francis snapped. "What the hell did you do!"
Red braced his arms on the table, breathing out his stress and relief. "I know you and Lizzy have become close friends and I appreciate your concern here, but it was just a kiss." Red glanced over, his eyes issuing a warning.
"A kiss wasn't all that just happened!" Francis pointed to Red's disheveled clothes. "How can you have fucked someone else when she's... what the hell! Lizzy is just right out there!" He jabbed his finger towards the dining area.
"I didn't fuck Ariana." Red stood upright, tucking his shirt back into place almost casually.
"Really?" Francis pointed down at Red's belt, scowling. "Then what the hell did you do? Get a blow?"
"No..." Red zipped up, then buttoned his pants, his manner stiff and unyielding.
"What the fuck is wrong with you!" Francis was beside himself.
"It just happened, Francis. She kissed me and it just got carried away for a minute." Red gritted, fastening his belt. He threw another warning glare. "Let it go."
"Is this why you were asking if I was interested in Liz? So you could have a rationale to fuck around?"
Red narrowed his eyes at the man, "No." he growled. "I told you, let it go."
"Yeah, I heard that." Francis replied sarcastically. "Oops, my mistake. So what do I tell Liz when she asks... oh, it was no big thing. Red just accidentally fell into another woman's pussy."
"Damn it, Francis!" Red's tone dripped ice but the man only absently continued fixing the knot in his tie as if it were the most natural thing in the world to do at this moment.
"How far did you get?" the younger man questioned heatedly. "And don't you dare tell me nothing happened. Because the guilt in your eyes says enough."
Red's temper flared, ever so glad to have an outlet for the emotion he was feeling. "Don't you fucking judge me... don't you fucking dare."
Francis's eyes narrowed into slits of fury, "You son of a bitch!"
The man drew back quickly, punching Red directly across the jaw, that fury transmitted into his action.
Reddington staggered slightly, turning slowly, wiping the blood from his mouth. His eyes were suddenly cold stones of empty darkness. "I will give you that one, because of Lizzy. Don't ever raise your hand to me again... because you don't know shit."
"Maybe not, but you did fuck Lexa the whole time we were in Italy." Francis growled an angry reminder.
Shit! What could Red say to that?
He had fucked Lexa over those three days, a lot. While Francis was in the next room.
But he and Lizzy were not playing this charade then. A charade to which Francis was not privy.
He could understand the younger man's frustration and anger on one hand, but on the other... he was not accustomed to anyone speaking to him in that manner any longer.
"Who the hell else have you fucked when you've been gone?" Francis snapped. "While I was keeping your fiancée company, who were you fucking!"
Red stood perfectly silent, debating his options.
"Lizzy is the best thing to happen to you in a long time, you idiot!" Francis seethed quietly.
"I know that..." he stated deathly quiet.
"I don't think you do." Francis stalked to the door, "And you sure as hell aren't worthy of her." he flung open the door.
"Oh, and not that you probably care," the man needled, "but Edward is out there, hitting on Liz even as we speak." the man gritted, slamming the door closed behind him, leaving Red alone.
"Fuck!" Red spat, punching his fist into the hard oak table before hurrying out the door.