“It’s late.” She crossed both arms along her half-nude body. But, still, she felt exposed under his close perusal, and her shyness won over again. “Why didn’t you wake me?”
Her heart flip-flopped as he grinned again.
“What kind of beast would I be to wake you from your beauty rest? Not that you need a single minute of it anyway, especially as beautiful as you are already,” he replied, sliding an appreciative look over her again. Then, turning away from her, he journeyed to the wet bar. After extracting the bottle of white liquor from the middle shelf, he poured the alcohol into a glass. He cradled the glass in his hand as he faced her again and eyed her from where she stood transfixed at the middle of the room. This time, his expression was dead serious. “How are you feeling this morning? Are you okay?”
“I’m fine.” A warm blush warmed her skin as her eyes dropped to the floor. “Why wouldn’t I be?”
“Well, considering the fact I played with your ass all night, and we experienced mutual masturbation sessions, I think that it’s par for the course that there’d be a little upheaval this morning. Hell, I haven’t made out like that since I was sixteen years old.” He downed the drink fast before placing the glass on the counter. “Are you sore or anything?”
She shook her head fast. “No.”
In fact, she was hurting, but not the bad kind of hurting. No, she was getting turned on now. Just seeing him and knowing that he was watching her---it was enough for her to plead for an early morning make-out session.
Did she have no shame?
“I---I really have to go,” she stammered nervously, turning away from him, and then faced the door. “I won’t intrude on your day any longer.”
But, as she reached the door, he did as well. A jolt of electricity fired through her as he grabbed her hand and whirled her around to face him. “Wait. Hold up.”
She stared at the wall of his chest. “What?”
“After last night, we’re way past this point, don’t you think?” he muttered thickly, grasping her chin, and forced her gaze to his. Again, she felt like she was drowning in a sea of green. “Listen, there’s no reason why you can’t stay a bit longer. Take a shower, get cleaned up. I promise that I’ll stay out of your way.” He sighed hard. “I feel responsible for going strong on you last night. You’re inexperienced and green. So, I should’ve---”
“I like what you did to me,” she whispered shyly, and the butterflies in her tummy took flight as their gazes clung. “And I want you to do it to me again.”
“Well, damn. Finally, my sweet princess is taking control of this situation,” Reign replied slowly, and his eyes smoldered with a sensual invitation. “Don’t let my confession frighten your little virginal ears, but that really turns me the fuck on.”
She inhaled a shaky breath. “You don’t have to lie to me---” Her words ended on a breathless gasp as he grabbed her hand and closed it about his engorged organ. Once more, she was helpless and beholden to his magical spell; she hardly held any strength against it.
“Does that feel like a lie to you?” His eyes darkened as they beseeched hers. “I think that’s about the best piece of solid evidence that you can get about my reaction to you. Why don’t we call it irrefutable proof of my desire to fuck you senseless?”
As she returned his stare, she struggled to stay grounded within the realities of the day. But, still, the same siren call that gripped her last night, it threatened to take hold of her right now.
She heard her own frantic heartbeat.
How was it possible that such a masculine creature like him was attracted to her of all people?
To her disappointment, he released her and stepped back. Now, his expression was unreadable again. “Like I said, the shower is available. You go on in. I’ll leave your dress on the bed. It’ll be ready for you once you come out of the shower.”
He left the door and crossed to the closet.
Staying mum, she watched as he rummaged through the clothes. Then, she scurried across the bedroom hurriedly before going to the bathroom.
She slammed the door shut before twisting the lock. Then, she removed the undergarments and let them drop to the floor. Sighing hard, she made way for the shower. As she stepped inside the shower stall, she turned the water on full cold blast. Still, it failed to lessen the sting of her blatant needs.
Moments later, showered and refreshed, she stepped from the bedroom, only to find it empty. Her dress lay on the bed just as he’d stated, and she quickly slipped it on over her head.
She raked a hand through her hair before letting out a disappointed groan. No doubt, her hair was a mess, probably looking like a bird’s nest, she frowned, pausing at the middle of the room.
Her gaze slipped around.
Now, what?
Before her riddled nerves could stop her, she left the bedroom. As she passed down the long hallway, she heard a television playing in the background. She reached the living area, only to find it vacant. Then, she spied him in the small kitchenette area, and the pleasing aroma of eggs and bacon assailed her senses. Sometime along the way, he’d dressed into a white t-shirt and dark joggers. Again, the very sight of him was devastating to her senses.
When he caught sight of her, he waved her forward. “Come join me. I’ve made a little breakfast,” he uttered, placing two small plates on the counter. “I hope that omelets are okay.”
“I’m not hungry,” she lied and shook her head. “Thank you for the offer though. I really must be going.”
“Don’t you think that it’s a tad bit early in the day to be telling lies---even small white ones.” Eyeing her across the table, he let out a fast sigh. “We had a long night. So, if I’m hungry, I know that you have to be as well. You need to eat.” He paused and waited for her response. “Come on---don’t make me eat all of this alone.”
Finally, she relented. “Alright.”
Truth was, she was hungry.
She sat down on the oval stool.
She eyed the helpings on the plate and her stomach rumbled.
An omelet, fruit, and toast were perfectly placed on the dish. Along with those breakfast items, a steaming cup of hot coffee waited.
Rather than taking a seat beside her, he stood on the opposite side of the counter. “Well, dig in,” he said, and already, he was popping a strawberry into his mouth. As he did, he winked at her. “I promise you that it’s not poisonous.”
“I’m not worried about that at all,” she said with a shy smile, grasping the fork. “If you were a serial killer, I’d be dead by now.”
Falling silent, she took a bite of the omelet.
Her quiet lasted for more than a few moments.
Throughout it, she felt his pointed stare.
“Are you always this quiet in the morning?” Pausing, he held the spoon midair and watched her. Then, shaking his head, he shoved the food into his mouth. “Or are you trying to be on your best behavior?”
She shrugged and kept her eyes cast on the plate. “When you live alone, you get used to the silence.”
“Hmmm, I guess that you’re right,” he said thoughtfully. “Guess there’s nothing wrong with it when you’re alone. But, when in the company of others, surely there should be some words expressed.”
Her face warmed.
Was he throwing hints at her?
She passed him a furtive glance. “It’s that your way of saying that I’m not talking enough.”
“After last night, I’d say that we have excellent communication skills, but not of the verbal kind. But, then again, considering the sounds that you were making, the latter part of my statement might not hold.”
Her eyes flew to him.
A teasing smile curved his lips. “And now, I have your attention.”
Heart fluttering, she smiled before looking away again. “You’re really a good cook,” she said shyly. “Where did you learn how?”
“Let me put it this way. Either I learned how to cook and feed myself, or I’d
starved to death.” An uncomfortable look crossed his face. But, as he looked away, he masked it quickly. “The adult figures in my life weren’t exactly, uh, skilled in the culinary areas.”
“Everything tastes wonderful. So, it’s a surprise that you taught yourself on your own,” she murmured softly, meeting his stare across the counter. Her heart fluttered again as their eyes held. “Well, it’s obvious that you’re talented and skilled.”
“A real compliment from you? Hell, I’ll take it,” he muttered with a trace of humor and wadded the napkin on the table. Then, his amusement faded as he stared at her, and now a naked hunger shone in his eyes. “I didn’t say it earlier. But, you look very beautiful this morning.”
“No, I don’t,” she said breathlessly, lifting a hand to her hair, and a warm flush stole her skin. Then, suddenly nervous, she stood. “My hair’s a mess---”
“There you go calling me a liar again.” He came around the counter slowly, and then stopped when he was standing directly behind her. The fiery heat radiated from his body and straight to hers. “When are you going to start taking me at my word?”
“I---I don’t know what you mean,” she stammered nervously, and subconsciously, her body sought his as he moved closer. A pleased gasp left her as he snaked an arm about her waist and pulled her back against his chest. “W-what are you doing?”
“After hurting my feelings like that, I demand a sincere apology,” he rasped unsteadily and released a shaky breath. “Somehow, you’re going to have to find a way to make it up to me. Tell me that you’re sorry.”
“I’m sorry,” she whispered shakily just as his hand traveled to the hem of the dress. As he gathered the material and began inching it upward, her excitement mounted. “I won’t do it again.”
“Well, let me warn you now, princess. Every fucking time that you do, you’re going to have to pay up,” he breathed at her ear and slid both hands beneath the dress. “Do you understand me?”
“Yes,” she said weakly, sagging against him. Then, she closed her eyes as he caressed her abdomen gently with his hands. A charging rush of adrenaline coursed through her veins. “I understand.”
“Good. Now that you understand, I think that it’s time for you to take your punishment.” A deep groan of satisfaction left him as he looped his fingers along the edges of her panties. But, rather than pushing them from her hips, he kept his hands positioned on the fabric. A husky breath left him. “I swear you’re the only woman that I want to play with like this. It’s something about me putting my hands inside these cotton panties and finger fucking you that makes me lose all reasoning. Your hot wet heat makes me rock hard, and that only shows the power that you have over me. You, sweet princess, are playing a very wicked game with my mind.”
And she was losing all reasoning, she realized, breathing hard and fast. Without a doubt, she loved the sinful action more than he did. “Touch me,” she pleaded softly, spreading her legs widely apart, and then slipped her own hand inside the panties. As she stroked herself, she closed her eyes in pleasure. But, she was hardly prepared as his large hand covered hers. The feel of it was enough to splinter her apart. “Please…touch me.”
His hard body quaked against hers as he pushed her hand aside. Emitting a hard and satisfied groan, he cupped her wet heat. Then, taking a free hand, he pushed the joggers down slightly before freeing his penis. Like she had countless times last night, she felt his hard erection against her hips. “Damn it---I can only imagine what it’s going to be like when I’m inside of you,” he hissed, closing a hand about his own erection. “You have so much passion and wildness bottled inside of you that I can’t wait for it to break free. I have no doubt that fucking you will be pure bliss.”
But, she was already lost in a scandalous, blissful, and surreal reality, she mulled darkly, releasing a deep moan. “Please play with me,” she whispered, bracing both hands against the counter, and hunched against his hand. Then, moaning softly, she moved to the slow rhythm that he’d set. Then, suddenly, it wasn’t enough, and she demanded more as she moved faster against the hand that fed her. “Oh….oh…oh…don’t stop…”
A blinding rush of sensations exploded within her, and all reality except the feel of him seized to exist. At once, the overwhelming feelings crashed over her in waves.
The climax rocked her hard.
“Reign,” she gasped helplessly, closing her eyes as the shudders racked through her body. She bit her lip to hold back her strangled cry, but failed. Then, she collapsed against him weakly. “Oh…oh…”
“Oh fuck,” he hissed as pleasure bested him. Against her hip, she felt his movements as he jerked off. Then, the violent spasms rocked his hard body. “Shit.”
Then, as silence fell, they leaned against the counter weakly. After their frantic breaths subsided, they disentangled themselves.
She raked a hand through her tresses fast. “I really have to be going,” she said fast, turning away from him, and then hurried toward the living area. Quickly, she grabbed her purse from the armchair. But, as she turned, she collided into his chest and gave a gasp of surprise. “Oh.”
“I’ve got you,” he smiled down at her and framed her face with his large hands. Then, something else played in his orbs as he looked at her. “Tonight, I want you to wear something white. Casual---nothing fancy. We’re going to have dinner first, around 7 or 7:30.” As his eyes searched hers, he paused. “Are you game with that?”
“Yes,” she whispered, and a thrill ran through her. “I’d love to have dinner first.”
“Good.” Stepping back, he released her. “Now, I think that I’ve taken up enough of your morning. I’ll see you later, then.”
She nodded. “Later.”
As she scurried past him, she felt the heat of his stare. Moments later, even as the elevator descended, thoughts of him and their encounters lingered.
When she stopped outside to the day, a smile lit her face.
Finally, she was alive.
***
Three hours later, Reign was facing the club manager across the desk in the plush office. Up until this point, their conversation had been the usual mundane routine of discussions of basketball, wrestling, and sports stats.
In fact, they rarely ever discussed business.
But, this would be one of the rare opportunities that they did. He studied the burly man closely while he shuffled through the papers on the desk. At the moment, he seemed approachable, he decided, and went on to make his pitch. “I want you to reimburse every penny of my client’s money.”
“Are you out of your fucking mind?” Paul Gates asked with an incredulous expression and nearly sputtered on the straight black coffee that he was drinking. A heavy scowl covered his pale face as he looked up from the ledger. Under the lamplight, his bald head was even shinier. “I’ve already given you a free pass by letting you shack up all night. This ain’t no muthafucking motel, damn it. You know the rules. All foreplay, dick play, and ass play has to be done in feasible time, and then, they’re out.” He paused in careful thought before narrowing his blue eyes. “Hell, man. You’ve been in this game long enough to know that. You know the rules, and now you’re breaking them. This is the first time that you’ve pulled an all-nighter with a client. What gives?”
“What do you mean?” He shrugged nonchalantly, yet his thoughts were anything but simple and uncaring. In fact, his mind was heavy with ideas and feelings that he long thought buried. “Nothing gives. It was late, and there was no point in leaving at such a late hour,” he said coolly, leaning back in the chair, and surveyed the club manager. “Besides, what does it matter anyway? No one’s at the club after closing anyway. More than that, I’ve given up enough ass to deserve a little something, don’t you think?”
“Point taken.”
“Good.”
“You really are serious about this chick, aren’t you?” Paul asked in amazement. “Damn.”
“Humor me. I’d like to think of her as being my pet project
. She’s a special case. As for refunding her money, I’ll pay you back in full. So, virtually, it’s a win-win situation for you. You get your money, and I get what I want.”
“The consummate negotiator. No wonder I like you,” Paul added with a sly grin, and then went on casually with the wave of his hand. “By the way, I’ve handled that situation with that Red Widow chick, and I have to say that she’s bordering on being a psycho. She literally went ballistic when I informed her that you were no longer available to her.” He shrugged. “I even offered her first dibs on one of the other guys here. But, she wasn’t interested in that. I don’t know. Something tells me that this Red Widow has a few loose screws up there in the brain. Anyway, I’ve banned her from the place, and let’s just say that didn’t go over with her well. Something tells me that she’s not done yet. If I were you, I’d watch my back. There’s no telling what she’s capable of.”
He gave a curt nod. “Thanks for the tip. The last time that she was here, she threatened me. But, I’m not about to cave into her blackmail.”
“Blackmail is a common staple among people like her. It’s a tactic they use whenever they feel like their backs are against the wall. Fuck, I’m not the one to fuck with either,” Paul cursed bitterly. “I didn’t get this far with this business by being a pushover. If the time comes when she does push, hell, I’ll push right back.” He paused before speaking again. “As for Sweetness, your new client…well---she’s different.” Paul frowned in careful thought. “There are plenty of you bloats on the roster. But, she was adamant that you’d serve her. Hell, I’d say her persistence bordered on the obsessive level. But, unlike that Red Widow chick, I’m certain that she’s completely harmless.”
“She’s nothing like Red Widow,” he said defensively. “They’re from two completely different universes. So, there’s hardly any comparison to make.”
Reign on Me Page 7
