Tears cling to her lashes as she lifts her fingers to show me. They’re glistening, her hand covered. With a rumble vibrating in my chest, I capture her wrist in my free hand and bend down to suck her taste into my mouth. Next time we do this, she’s going to suck my cock while I make her sit on my face and I won’t stop eating her until she’s a sobbing mess for me.
I release her wrist and speed up my thrusts to the point she has to concentrate on when to suck in air before she passes out. Her hand goes back to rubbing her clit and her thighs shake. Pleasure races down my spine and my balls draw tight. I’m close.
Maisy moans, tears leaking from the corners of her eyes, one hand gripping my leg for balance and the other buried between her thighs as she takes her own pleasure. My thrusts pick up and I gasp for air as I drive my cock into her mouth. It’s too much. Fuck, it’s too much, and I release a loud groan as my orgasm hits.
Her nails dig into my thigh and she swallows my come, throat working as she meets my gaze with hazy pleasure burning in her gorgeous hazel eyes. The flush in her cheeks darkens and she bucks her hips, crying out around my cock as she comes.
It takes us a minute to come back to ourselves. When we do, I scoop her up from the floor and kiss her, holding her against my body.
I never want to let her go. Even if it meant never getting the justice I’ve been seeking, I’d live in this moment for eternity if I could.
She pulls back with a dazed smile while I tuck my dick away and pull the suit pants up. As she’s wiping the corners of her mouth and catching her breath, her phone goes off on the table. She grabs it and her eyes go wide. “Shit. Can you give me a ride back to Holden’s car? He just warned me that his distraction didn’t work out so well.”
I want to say no. I need to taste her. Strip her down and lay claim to every other inch of her—spend hours rediscovering my daisy. But I nod.
Smirking, I strip out of the suit pants she stained and grab a pair of jeans from by the bed across the room. “Let’s take the bike.”
Maisy’s hazel eyes light up and it calls to a deep part of my heart to bring that side out of her.
Twenty-Three
Maisy
There was no sense of dread when I returned home, like I’ve already burst from my metaphoric cage and allowed my wings to fly free. Maybe it’s the lingering thrill of riding on the back of Fox’s motorcycle, or maybe it’s how unchained and right I felt taking him in my mouth. Either way, I won’t let them put me back in the miserable place they’ve kept me for years. And when it comes down to them and helping Fox? I pick him.
Once Holden texted me, I knew I had to get away from Fox’s studio apartment fast so Dad couldn’t track my phone and know how to find him. It was just as exhilarating as the first time to ride on the bike, my arms locked around him as we zoomed down the roads.
Before I got off the bike, he took my phone and put his number in, kissing my cheek before he drove off.
My parents and Holden aren’t home yet when I get past the security system. I don’t waste a minute, seizing the opportunity to get what I can to help Fox before they get back. My best bet for snooping on what my parents could be hiding is in the home office.
Mom uses it more often than Dad, but I know he’s brought home his work before. He’s the one with more power and I can’t get the sight of his signatures on the Wilder case files out of my head. His secrets might have lurked in our house for years. It makes my suspicion spike as I sit down in the expensive leather office chair, turning on the computer. I wonder what else I can find on Nexus Lab that Mom might keep on this computer as the busy CEO.
I tuck my phone against my shoulder and ear as I wait for the computer to boot up, calling the one person I know who can walk me through this fast. I’ve never been more thankful for my best friend to have married a computer genius than I am right now.
“‘Sup, little Landry?” Connor answers, like the cocky ass he is.
“I don’t even have time for you right now,” I say with a smirk. “Walk me through copying a hard drive. The fastest way you’ve got, preferably .”
That piques his interest. “What are you up to?”
“Clock is ticking here.”
“Are you doing something illegal?” There’s a grin in his tone. “I’m in.”
“You’d better be.” I throw a glance at the door with no idea how much time I have before they get home. “Come on.”
“Aight, relax. I’ve got you. It’s easy.” It sounds like he’s stretching. “Do you have a flash drive or an external?”
I search the drawers of the large desk and come up with one. “Yes.”
“Good, so here’s what you need to do.”
He walks me through the steps and it goes faster than I expected. A question occurs to me as the progress bar hits the halfway mark of copying the drive to the flash drive.
“Will I be able to access everything?”
I know Dad’s password because he let me buy concert tickets for a show Thea and I went to. I didn’t want Mom to know. Hers are a mystery to me, though, and I’ll need them if I want to get into the pharmaceutical company’s files on the drive.
“All the settings will copy, so anything not encrypted or password protected is fair game.”
I bite my lip. “So I’ll need the passwords.”
He laughs. “Maybe. Depends on the level of security on them. What are you getting up to, hippie chick?”
“None of your business, Bishop. Keep this to yourself.”
“Cool, cool. Your little snooping secret is safe with me.”
For now is left unspoken, because Connor loves collecting information and has a penchant for blackmail. Not that he’d actually use it against me. He collects information to protect the people he cares about, too.
The computer dings when the hard drive is copied. “It finished. Thanks.”
Swiping the flash drive, I go to my room and stash it in a vintage blue suede purse with fringe. I catch sight of myself in the mirror and pause. My lips are still pink and slightly swollen from earlier and my dress looks like a mess. I shift, rubbing my thighs together and still feel the tingly echo of how much I liked what Fox and I did.
The front door opens and closes, low murmurs from Dad and Holden drifting through the foyer.
“Maisy Grace Landry,” Mom calls ominously. Her voice only raises enough to carry without outright yelling. “Downstairs. Now.”
Sighing, I head for my execution.
When I reach the top, Holden shoots me an apologetic expression. I give him a subtle nod. It’s fine, I knew it was going to be tough to avoid this, even with him running interference. Leaving my high school graduation ceremony probably meant when my name was called, there was a wave of confusion when I didn’t get up and walk to the stage to accept my diploma. Bet Mom really loved that embarrassment. I picture the other parents in the stands whispering.
“Get down here,” Dad snaps.
Oh good, they’re both upset. Mom I expected, but Dad’s always acted out of an overbearing sense of protectiveness. I don’t make it down the steps before they tear into me.
“Where were you?”
“What were you thinking?”
They both speak at once and my gaze bounces between them. Mom narrows her eyes and shoots Dad a look that has him stepping back. Lines form around his mouth with his severe frown as he folds his arms.
“What ridiculous notion did you have that made you think you could get away with walking out on your graduation ceremony?” Mom hisses. “They called your name for five minutes before they finally moved on. Why would you do this?”
Jutting my chin, I cross my arms. “There’s no rule that says I had to attend. They’ll mail my diploma. Why is that so wrong?”
“You are so childish,” Mom says coldly. “Go to your room.”
“Go to my room?” A sound of disbelief escapes me. “I’m not twelve. You have to stop treating me like a baby.”
“When you stop actin
g like one, you’ll be treated accordingly,” Mom shoots back. “Your actions today reflect on all of us.”
“So what!” I explode, descending another step. “Who cares so much that you got a side eye for five whole minutes? There are more important things than reputation!”
“Reputation is everything,” she argues, gesturing between me and Holden. “One child can’t maintain his college acceptance and ends up in a public community college, and the other is a goddamn wild child I can’t control no matter how many rules I have to lay down for you to become a proper example.”
“I actually like my classes,” Holden mutters, expression clouding. “I’m…glad I lost the football draft to Ohio State.”
I could hug my brother right now. This is the first time he’s stood up to their tyrant rule over us, too. I think we’re both done with the bullshit. The anger is expanding in my chest, climbing my throat. I won’t swallow it back or let this go. I’m eighteen and I’ve done every single thing they’ve ever wanted—studied hard, gotten the grades they demanded, and put myself in the boxes they wanted.
“Oh, shut up, Holden,” Mom says haughtily.
My laugh is caustic and bitter. “God, Mom, do you even hear yourself? Who fucking cares!”
“Maisy,” Dad barks.
“No, Dad! Seriously, the world isn’t ending because I skipped out today. You guys are the ones acting crazy for thinking that.”
“We didn’t know where the hell you were or if someone had taken you,” he says angrily. “I looked all over.”
“You didn’t try to track my phone, like usual, warden?” I shout. “Shocker, it’s usually your go to.”
His expression darkens. “That was to protect you.”
“From what?” I rush the final steps and throw my hands out. If I get him worked up enough, maybe I can make him admit the things he’s done. “Where is the threat? If you can be honest with me about why we have such tight security and why you think it’s okay to track my whereabouts by my phone, I’d be willing to listen. But I can’t do this blindly anymore. You’re suffocating me.” The breath I take is sharp and painful. “I can’t be a doll anymore. I have my own feelings and thoughts.”
He opens his mouth, conflict flooding his gaze. He’s going to tell me something important.
“Every choice and sacrifice we’ve made for you has been to set you on the best path to have a good future,” Mom cuts in, exchanging an unreadable look with Dad.
Damn it.
I face her and am struck by how much I have bent myself into whatever shape she demanded. “If you really loved me, you’d let me pick what I wanted for myself. Everything you’ve forced on me I’ve hated. And none of it has ever been good enough to satisfy you, just makes you demand more and more of me. The grades, the clothes, then you forced Sam on me as another way to keep me under your thumb. Why are you so obsessed with him?”
“He’s a perfectly good match for you. He’s from a well-respected family on our level. We’re in talks with his parents and we all agree, you’ll date and after you both graduate from college we’ll talk about marriage plans.”
“You expect me to marry him? Hell no! I’m not having some arranged marriage. Dad, are you seriously going to let that happen?”
Dad can’t look me in the eye.
“Mom, come on. That’s too much,” Holden says warily. “You can’t make her to do that.”
“Maisy will do what I think is best,” Mom says.
“I can’t anymore. You can’t control every aspect of my life.”
Her mouth pinches. “You’re just a child. You can’t possibly know what’s good for you.”
“That’s the point I’m making here! I need to make these decisions for myself.” I stand up straighter. “Starting with this one—I’m not going to Northwestern. I never wanted to go there. I want nothing to do with Sam Blake, so you can toss that out, too. I’m going to make my own life plan instead of following the one you forced on me.”
It feels good to finally get that off my chest.
Dad shoots a worried look at Mom and she steps into my space, putting her hand on my shoulder. Her nails dig in slightly.
“Jackie—”
Dad doesn’t get to finish.
“Well. Then pack your things.” Her voice is so cold. It’s hard to believe she’s my mother with how little emotion is in her voice when she stares at me. “If you don’t have any plans to go along with these choices, then the disciplinary institution it is.”
I grit my teeth and jerk away from her. “No.”
“Yes.”
“You can’t make me. Holden gets to go to community college, but I have to get shipped off to some shady finishing school because I had an original thought instead of one you fed to me? No fucking thanks.”
“Yeah, that’s not fair,” Holden says. “Why can’t she just pick?”
“Because I said so,” Mom says.
“Let’s not be hasty, Jackie. I don’t want to force that on her.”
Dad tries to reason with her, but I’ve never seen her like this. Ruthless, that’s what she looks like. She was playing nice before, but now the gloves are off.
“Shut up, Richard. This is necessary.”
I back up, inching toward the stairs. “You’re insane if you think I’ll let you send me anywhere I don’t want to go.”
“You will do as I say,” Mom says.
“I won’t! I’ll get a lawyer. I’m eighteen, you can’t do that to me!”
A vein pops out in her temple and a flush creeps up her neck. “If you won’t obey my rules, then you’ll be cut off.” She’s livid now, her threatening voice shaking. “I give you enough liberties as it is. If that’s what it takes to make you behave, then that’s what will happen.”
“Go ahead,” I challenge, putting a foot on the first step. “I’m leaving. You won’t listen, so I’m gone. I’ll cut myself off.” Swinging to Dad, I add, “If you track my phone, I’ll throw it away and get a new one because parents don’t invade their kids’ privacy and lives like that.”
“Maisy Grace!” Mom yells after me.
I’m so fucking done.
With my chest heaving and adrenaline from the fight rushing through my veins, I run up to my room and slam the door. I need to make this quick, or Mom will pull something crazier, like putting a security lock on my door or overruling Dad to send me to the disciplinary school against my will.
I grab the first bag I find in the closet and throw clothes inside with my laptop, then snag my purse with the flash drive. The medical journals from Devlin go in next, followed by my jar of rocks and my favorite crystals tucked carefully between my clothes. Glancing around the room, my throat goes dry. I can’t fit everything in my bag.
In one motion I strip the rumpled designer dress overhead and fling it onto the floor, standing nude in the middle of my room with the evidence of what I did with Fox two hours ago dried on my upper thighs. It feels good to stand there like that, like I’m shedding a skin that was too tight and I’ve finally burst free through the constricting seams.
For a minute, I consider going to stay with Thea, but I don’t want to intrude on her and Connor. They’re still enjoying their time together as newlyweds. As much as I love my best friend, there’s somewhere else that’s calling me.
As I pull out my favorite yoga pants with slits in the sides that cuff around my ankles, I call Fox, searching for a shirt with my breasts out and proud. Nothing will keep me down anymore.
He answers on the first ring. “Hey. You good?”
I don’t have a penny to my name. No savings, no car, no phone if my parents cut me off for this stunt.
And I’ve never felt more alive.
“Yup. So, is it too soon for me to move in?” I joke, grabbing a fitted crop top. “Come get me?”
There’s only a brief silence before his deep voice filters through the phone. “I’m coming.”
Nothing has ever made me smile wider or made my heart soar as hi
gh.
Twenty-Four
Fox
Two coffee mugs clink on the table when Maisy sets them down next to my laptop in the morning. “Walk me through what you know so far.”
For the second time yesterday, her arms were wrapped around me on my bike after I picked her up at the end of her block when she left her home. She told me Holden helped her out after a blowout fight with her parents.
The sensation of her embrace created a steadfast ember of warmth in my heart. I’ve fought on my own for a long time, even struggling to let Colton in completely. But with Maisy, it feels like the world has opened up from the blinders I’ve had on.
Once we got back to the warehouse, I kissed her, then went down to work in the garage. She watched, perched on the steps until it got late. We ordered pizza that I went to pick up and stayed awake until the early hours of the morning talking. I told her more about what it was like growing up in foster care, about my favorite cove in Thorne Point, and the story of how I managed to track down my dad’s Harley and bought it back. My heart ached when she described what it was like after I had to leave town, then told me the story of when she met her redheaded friend, and how much her road trip plans meant to her.
At some point we finally passed out in the middle of the conversation, trying too hard to soak in each other and make up for all the lost years.
This morning I woke up with her tucked against my side, her face smashed into my shoulder and I spent several minutes gazing at her, lightly brushing her tangled hair aside. After getting up, I heard her rustling in the sheets and she joined me in the workout corner, running through yoga poses and stretching her lithe body while I went through my own routine. I thought I’d hate having someone else in my space, but with her it just fits as if we’ve always been like this. When we were done, she showered and I ended up on the couch with my laptop.
Instead of taking the coffee, I pull her down into my lap on the couch and get distracted for a moment, kissing the side of her neck as my palm skates over the strip of her stomach exposed by her tight crop top. I can’t decide if I like this version or one of her loose flowing ones better, but I’ll never get tired of having easy access to her tits. She arches when I push beneath her shirt to tease a nipple.
Savage Wilder: Dark New Adult High School Bully Romance (Sinners and Saints Book 4) Page 20
