Page 47 of Artemis

“I have,” Finley rumbled.

“Touch me?”

Finley curled his hands around the swell of her ass, leaning forward to pepper light kisses along her collarbones. The taste of her skin immediately overwhelmed him. His hands were everywhere; holding her waist, tracing down her back, cupping her perfect breasts, playing with the sexy little barbells through her nipples with his thumbs...

Artemis arched her back, pressing into his touch with a sigh of pleasure.

“You’re so responsive,” Finley murmured appreciatively into her skin. He trailed kisses down her chest, licking over one nipple and then the other. “I want to bury my face between your legs and make you scream for me until you can’t remember anything but my name.”

“Oh god,” Artemis moaned.

He drew her nipple into his mouth, biting gently and flicking his tongue over the bud until she rocked against him with a cry.

“Suddenly not so sure sex is off the table,” she gasped, writhing over his hard cock.

Fortunately, her phone rang at that moment, so Finley didn’t have to wrestle with his conscience over that. He wasn’t so sure he’d be able to resist her, not if she was begging him to have sex with her. His will power wouldn’t be able to hold out against that torture.

Artemis snatched her phone up from where it had fallen to the couch cushion and accepted the call, putting it on speaker. “Hello?”

“Is this Artemis Chase?” a distorted voice asked.

“Speaking. Is my son all right? Please, tell me he’s okay!”

The caller ignored her question. “If you want to see your son again, it’ll cost you one million dollars. You have three hours to collect it. I will call back at that time to give you the information to proceed with the digital transfer.”

“Can I talk to him, please?” Artemis begged.

There was silence on the other end of the line.

Artemis met Finley’s eyes. The depth of her fear was visible within them, cutting him to the core.

“Mom?” whispered a tiny voice.

“Alexander, darling, are you okay?” Artemis asked, clutching her phone tightly.

“Mom, where am I? I want to be at my party.”

“I know, baby. When you’re back here with me, we can have your party again, okay? Be strong for me. I love you,” Artemis said.

“I love you too, Mom!”

Silence again, during which Artemis’s body heaved as she struggled to control her tears.

“Will we get our money, or do you need further incentive?” the distorted voice asked.

“You’ll get it,” Artemis snarled. “Harm one hair on his head and I will not rest until you pay.”

The call disconnected.

“He’s okay!” Artemis gasped, and then burst into tears.

“I’m going to call Chloe,” Finley said. “Can you get a million dollars together in three hours?”

Artemis shook her head and wiped her eyes. “I don’t have that much money, even if I liquidated all my stocks. I guess I need to ask Mercury for another favor.” She shuddered.

“If it’s his money used in the ransom, he’ll be that much more incentivized to get it back,” Finley pointed out with a grin.

“That’s true.” She sniffed. “Where are my glasses? I should probably get dressed. We’re going to have to leave soon anyway.”

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