“That makes two of us.” He released a tired sight. “It’s been one helluva day. Why don’t we just call it a night?”
“Ok.”
“Whoa. Am I hearing this right?” He raised a high brow. “Two easy agreements from you straight in a row? Damn, I think we’ve broken a record. If I didn’t know better, I’d think that I was being punk’d.” A teasing light played in his eyes. “Sure you don’t have any hidden cameras around here or something?”
She wrinkled her nose at him. “Very funny.”
“Ahh, come on,” he teased. “Don’t be offended.”
Forcing a frown, she stuck her tongue out of him.
To her joy and relief, the action prompted a deep chuckle from him.
She smiled to herself.
Maybe she was making some headway with him.
“Where are we?” she asked quietly, several seconds later, watching as he meandered across the bedroom. Against her will, her eyes dropped to his ass, appreciating every rise and fall of it. As he stepped inside the closet, her gaze stayed cemented on it. Then, she cleared her throat uncomfortably. “The Ritchey Hotel or something?”
“We’re on the 34th floor at Jameson’s---my little home away from home.” After confiscating a blanket from the top shelf, he shut the closet door before facing her again. The bath towel still fit snugly around his near-naked form, and he just seemed so much damn sexier. Now, all teasing gone, he regarded her aloofly while sliding a gaze over her. “When I’m handling a lot of deals or have business in the city, it’s convenient for me to stay here. Seeing as I’ll be taking care of you until Vitali returns, we’ll stay here rather than the compound. Tomorrow, we’ll go by there, and that’ll give you time to gather some things.” He paused for a second. “You have any objections to that?”
“No,” she murmured, acquiescing too easily. In fact, would she be able to control the leaping joy in her chest? “How will we explain things to everyone else? Won’t they find it odd that we’re together?”
“To hell with what everyone else thinks. But, if you’re concerned about Vitali, don’t be. He’s too caught up in his, uh…” He cleared his throat uncomfortably. “…business ventures at the moment. On more than one point, he’s made it clear that he doesn’t want to be disturbed.” He eyed her dead on. “I’ve already been given orders to look out for you. So, I’m going to do just that.”
“Still,” she insisted, face warming. Though, it was from pleasure rather than shame. Too, wasn’t this exactly what she wanted anyway---to be close to him? But, she had to keep up the pretense, didn’t she? “People will talk.”
“Didn’t I say that you didn’t have to worry? Things will be discreet.”
“Mauricio won’t like this. You know how he loves to be in charge.”
“Trust me on this. Mauricio’s smart enough not to question me or my decisions. Again, I’m taking care of this. So, don’t worry your pretty little head about it.” With ease, he returned to the space where she stood, and now awkwardness breathed between them. Slowly, he flicked his eyes over her slip-clad form and easily noticed her trembling. “You’re shivering. If you’d like me to start a fire---”
“No, you don’t have to do that,” she said shyly. “I’m fine. Guess I just got a little chilled for a second.”
“Well, the hour’s late, and you’ve gone through an ordeal.” Their gazes cemented to each other once again, and now a sexual tension simmered beneath the surface. His large hand tightened about the blanket. “Maybe you should go to bed.”
“Yes, I should.”
Why did she sound so out of breath?
“I’m taking the floor---”
“No, you’re not,” she cut in quick, surprising them both. Her next words came out too rushed and breathless. “This is your home, and I’m already putting you out enough. Besides that, I’ll feel guilty if you sleep on the floor.” Swallowing hard, she glanced towards the bed. “I mean, it’s huge enough for the both of us.” Then, her brown eyes met the intense gray ones again. “There’s no reason why we can’t share it.” And she wanted him close, she decidedly selfishly. “And with everything that’s happened, I’m a little scared, too. So, having you close will make me feel better.”
“Alright,” he agreed quickly.
Too quickly, she mulled, keeping her face straight.
Was he was just as eager as she was?
It seemed so!
“Okay,” she smiled shyly. “What side do you want?”
He shrugged. “Don’t really have a preference. You climb in first.”
A millisecond passed.
Or perhaps, it was ten…
Needy and hungrily, they stared at one another.
“Well?” he probed, arching a brow, and finally broke the sexual chain. “Are you getting in the bed or what?”
Her face warmed hot.
“Oh,” she stammered and nearly tripped while turning. “I’ll go first.”
Face burning hot and shame-filled, she climbed onto the bed. After fluffing the pillows, she fell back against them. As his hands dropped to the towel, she looked away just in time while he removed it. Of course, a man like him would have little to no shame, she mulled, and her body flamed hot all over. Not that that was a bad thing. In fact, it was a complete turn-on.
The bed dipped slightly as he climbed on.
Finally, turning her head, she watched while he settled in.
A nervous tremor racked through her.
How could she possibly stay composed with him this close?
Sighing, bending an arm behind his head, he mumbled hastily. “Goodnight.”
“Goodnight.”
Another second passed.
“Thank you for everything,” she whispered, staring at the side of his face. Again, as close as they were, they’d never been further apart. “…for handling the situation with Velasquez and keeping me safe.”
“You’re welcome.”
Rather than looking at her, he stared straight ahead.
And that was okay, too, she mulled, hurt.
At least, he didn’t 100% hate her.
Lying there, quietly, she watched him.
Moments later, sleep stole her.
Finally, she embraced true rest.
***
She was finally asleep.
As much as he tried, he couldn’t ignore the woman beside him. True, he’d taken a coward approach and pretended to be asleep. But, he’d heard her every intake of breath…smelled her sweet scent…until finally she’d gone out.
Hours later, in the dark, he was still breathing her in.
Sighing tiredly, he flipped onto his side.
Against his will, his greedy gaze sought her out.
The bedcovers had fallen away from her.
Or rather, she’d kicked them off.
Now, she rested on her side, granting him an unblemished view.
Like a twisted youth stuck in a puberty-infested virginal state, he ogled her.
Unlike now, hadn’t he always been able to joyously and selfishly be with her?
Hadn’t he been able to voice his pleasure?
Right, now, she was all so right.
Perfectly, oh so damn perfectly, the lace-trimmed slipper clung to her voluptuous body. Along the top edges, her plump breasts threatened to spill from the top. Through the thin fabric, her nipples were budded and rounded tight---just ready to be suckled and laved---
If only, if only, he could crawl across the bed, just a few spaces…he’d be right next to her. Then, with her blessing, he’d take the liberty of climbing on top of her body. With one bold stroke, he’d sheath himself deep inside of her. Then, he’d make love to her over, over, over, over, and over again.
He released a frustrated breath.
But, that was impossible now, wasn’t it?
After all, things weren’t the same.
A different mental confusion found him.
But, yet, weren’t they in so many ways?
&
nbsp; Like the fact that he craved her?
The thought was a debilitating one.
Wasn’t she now forever out of his reach?
“Damn,” he muttered quietly, and seized a ragged breath. “What will it take for me to stop wanting you, damsel?”
For several long minutes, he continued watching her.
With every passing pleasure-filled second, he realized one thing.
Not wanting her wasn’t even possible…
In fact, he wanted her more.
His gaze stayed locked on her.
The sight of her was just too much.
She was killing him.
A sudden sexual pain stole his senses, and grabbing his throbbing penis was the only viable option. Squeezing his eyes tight, he fought for control. But, his dark needs roared in like a raging storm. Finally, no longer or able to withstand it, he bolted from the bed.
Like a drunken man, he staggered towards the bathroom.
And he was punk-suckered drunk on his feelings…
Bypassing the lights, he left the bathroom drenched in darkness.
If the area stayed that way, could he escape what was chasing him?
He stepped into the huge shower stall.
Once inside, he turned the water on cold blast.
The coldness should have shocked him, yet it didn’t.
It held no numbing power against her…
She lived…
She breathed…
Within his darkened and lost self…
For long seconds, he stayed under the water.
Against his skin, it blasted with a cold plunder.
Yet, there was no relieving.
With a damning finality, he accepted reality.
The pulsating ache inside of him was too great.
Under the rushing waters, his hand journeyed lower.
Once there, he found nothing but pure heat.
Finally, succumbing, he began pleasing himself.
Though he forced his eyes closed, he couldn’t block out thoughts of her. On obsessive replay, she lived vigorously in his mind. Bracing one hand against the shower wall, he gripped a firm hand along his hot meat. Up and down, in slow, deep, and agonizingly pleasing strokes, he groped himself. Jaw tightening, he fought to control the animalistic sounds riling in his system.
But, as his mind became consumed with her image, all fight was lost.
The hard grunts tore from his body.
They filled the wet stall and became trapped within its confines.
Intensifying, they fueled his dark and needy mood.
Faster and faster, he stroked himself, emitting a pleasurable torture.
In his hand, his hot cock throbbed.
On his life, he’d swear about feeling the rush of his hot blood.
Gritting his teeth, tightening his hold, he fought for supremacy.
But, he understood the greatest folly…
His need for her was the master…
She was his queen.
Damn, she ruled him.
A powerful surge of need hit him at the realization.
Like a weakling, he succumbed to the sexual power.
Hopelessly and eagerly, he accepted the glory.
***
The sound of running water awoke her from slumber.
“Braden,” she mumbled sleepily, raising slightly in the bed, and pushed the disheveled hair from her face. A fast peek at the clock said that it was around 3am. “Where are you?”
On the opposite side of the bed, there was only empty space.
Disappointed, she fell back against the pillows.
No surprise there.
Of course, at the first opportunity given, he’d bolted away from her.
How could she possibly penalize the man for taking a damn shower, though, she decided, dejected, throwing a glance towards the bathroom. Surely, she wasn’t that selfish. After all, didn’t he at least have that right of privacy?
Still, he was everywhere…
His presence…
His scent…
But, wasn’t he a constant and obsessive fixture in her mind?
It was always him.
Her eyes strayed towards the bathroom again.
If only she could take the liberty and join him, she groaned, falling back against the pillows, and then flung an arm across her face. So many times, in the past, when they showered together, their lovemaking had always been explosively hot.
A fiery ache filled her body.
With him so damn close, how could she suppress it?
Suddenly, growing frustrated, she grasped the bedcovers and pulled them over head. Under the warm blanket, she was masked in total darkness, and the only sound that she heard was her thundering heartbeat.
Closing her eyes, she embraced a mental freedom.
Under the sheets, he’d been naked.
She sucked in a fast breath.
Though, they’d rested on separate sides, she still felt him.
She remembered everything…
Every soul-touching intimate moment between them…
All of him…
The jagged scars on his back…
Strong sinewy thighs and a tight ass…
The feel of his skin…
Every ridged plane along his broad chest…
The way his nipples hardened as she suckled them…
Sliding a hand across the lace-trimmed slipper, she cupped her breast.
Just the way he suckled her pebbled buds…
Until they were so tight that she cried out…
Gasping softly, she pinched a tightened nipple.
Like wildfire, pleasure found her.
Biting her lips, she pinched the budded tip harder, intensifying the gratifying feeling even more. Yet, it wasn’t enough…
Dazed and all sexually-feely, she flipped over onto her stomach, all the while raising the hem of the thin slip. Then, lifting her hips, she slipped a hand under her panties before clamping a firm hand about herself. As she found nothing but hot wet heat, she shuddered. Already, her pussy was begging for a claiming, she mulled, breathing unsteadily.
His claiming…
Beneath the bed covers, the smell of her sex engulfed her.
The aroma was exceedingly pleasing.
Parting the thin lips, she slid a finger along her labia.
A satisfying sensation split through her.
All of these crazy, insane, and intense feelings, they were his fault, she panted, biting her trembling lips, and searched for the secret spot. Once finding it, her mouth gapped open wider, releasing her breathless sounds.
Yes, it was all because of him.
On a desperate breath, she plunged two fingers deep inside her well. Then, moaning softly, hips writhing, she began masturbating. As she set a slow, sinfully-sweet, and torturous pace, the air stuck in her lungs, and the deprivation became a straight on aphrodisiac. Blinded, she accepted the sensual madness.
Her rhythm was too perfectly set.
So much so that she fought to breathe.
“Oh…oh….oh…”
She bit her lip harder.
But, there was no numbing the feel.
A pleasurable pain assaulted her senses.
Panting, hot and desperate, she chased it.
The climax shattered her.
A helpless cry left her.
Deplete and satisfied, she went limp beneath her dark hideaway.
Chapter 18
A cold but beautiful Sunday morning dawned.
As he’d insisted, around 9:41 am or so, they’d traveled to the compound. If Vitali’s men had been surprised by her departure or found her leaving with Braden odd, they didn’t show it. Unsurprisingly, Braden’s thunderous commands and demeanor had stifled their reactions.
Without a doubt, they respected or rather feared him.
It was either one or the other.
Now, they were miles across Atlanta, back at Jameson’s Incorporations in his CEO apartment. Soon,
in the next few minutes or so, she’d be unpacking, she mulled gleefully, pausing in the open doorway, and then closed it. All too happily, she lugged the suitcase across the room before dropping it beside the white sectional sofa.
A smile lit her face.
As brief as their time would be together, this would be home.
She passed a satisfying glance around.
The luxury penthouse apartment was both modern and classy. Naturally, the interior design played homage to precision and style. The open floor plan offered pleasurable views throughout the inside space and the outside world beyond.
Again, the color design was a startling white.
At the center wall, a 100” flat screen TV was strategically placed.
Taking into account his love for sports, news, and entertainment, it was needed.
Off to the corner, there was a custom stainless steel fireplace, and its structure was nearly inexplicable in description. It was just highly unique. From the ceiling, the steel shoot descended and provided closure for the hot red flames leaping within. Behind a glass partition, the flames danced along the black coal-shaped rocks. The exotically designed rocks were positioned and housed by a glossy steel base. In a perfect rounded cylinder-like fashion, the base touched the floor.
An untypical piece…
Just right for a man that was hardly typical…
But, uniquely extraordinary…
Anyway, the fireplace warmed the entire place.
A white loveseat complemented and faced the sectional sofa. Along the base, including the legs as well, both pieces of furniture were encased in a shiny black liquor color. Off to the left, a dining set, capable of accommodating six, matched in style and color. Beneath it, the black geometric rug was squared and positioned on point. Like the rest of the area, the kitchen was open and modern, housing stainless steel appliances throughout. A fashionable island was also offered and contained fancy cutlery. All around, the white-velvety high-back bar chairs surrounded it.
Dangling low from the ceiling, black-slitted shades housed bright lights, and they stretched along the entire perimeter. Yet, there was one particular spot in the ceiling that held solar panes, and the area was arched, allowing the outside light inside.
What was there not to love?
She smiled in contentment. “Everything’s just perfect.”
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