I was falling for Peyton, which scared the crap out of me. In just a short time I had developed feelings for someone I barely knew, feelings I’d never experienced before. Is this how relationships are supposed to work? I couldn’t keep the thought from entering my mind. I didn’t have a clue about any of this. Loren had never had a boyfriend, not anything long-term anyway. Kennedy avoided relationships like the plague because she was focused on her career and determined to make a name for herself. Finally, there was Gus, who didn’t want the world to know about his sexual orientation.
How the hell am I ever going to learn what’s right or wrong?
I found myself walking through the park on a path leading to Peyton’s building. I didn’t fight it; I wanted to be with him. The comfort he provided was new to me, but I craved it. I was safe with him. I felt it down deep in my bones. Taking the concrete walkway out of the park, I darted across the street to his building. I didn’t know if he was home, but I wanted to be close to him. If anything, I could do a thorough cleaning for Sara to kill some time until he got home.
Once I pushed against the revolving door, doubt entered my mind. Am I being needy? Would he even want to see me again?
My eyes directly met the doorman’s. I couldn’t turn away now. I smiled at him and nodded hello.
“Here to see Mr. Haas, Ms. Wolf?” he asked.
Shocked that he knew my name, I responded, “Uh … no, sir. I’m just checking up on the Smith’s home while they’re away.”
This was a stupid idea. I should turn around and go back home.
The elevator door slid open, and to my surprise, Peyton and his sister walked out. I felt my face turn crimson.
“You two are really cute,” Spencer said, straddling the elevator cart and lobby floor as she held the door open.
“Spencer,” Peyton said in a tone meant to shut his sister up.
“What?” She beamed up at him, then at me. “Next time I’m in town, you and I are having drinks. I want to know everything about the girl that has my big brother all smitten.” She winked at me before looking back at her brother. Her adoration for him showed on her face. “Bye, Pey.” She rested her hand on my shoulder. “Bye, Braelynn. It was really nice to meet you.”
My eyes found his as my voice returned. “Bye.” I didn’t look back at her. The elevator door began to close, so we quickly stepped in. “Hi,” I whispered. A scheming smile spread across his face. Closing the gap between us, he brought his hand to my chin, lifting it toward him. “Hi,” he whispered back before he leaned down and his lips softly touched mine. “Are you here to see me?” he asked as he pulled away.
“Mmm …” I moaned. “I thought about coming to see you, but I didn’t know if you were busy, so I was going to check on Sara’s house. Clean it now so I don’t have to do it later this week.”
His hand traced small circles on my cheekbone. “I’m never too busy for you.” His mouth came down to mine again as the elevator door reopened to the lobby. Lost in the moment, we’d forgotten to tap the key card for the penthouse.
“Sorry to interrupt,” an elderly man said as he walked in.
Peyton cleared his throat and pulled me to the back corner. With his arms wrapped around my waist, he drew me to him, my back pressed along the heat of his chest. Bringing his face to the crook of my neck, he trailed wet kisses there that burned all the way down my spine. The elderly gentleman pressed a button and we rode up to his floor before Peyton slid the penthouse key card over the electronic pad.
I left the elevator with Peyton still wrapped around me, his lips caressing my neck with each step I took. Walking into his foyer, I turned and pulled away to face him. The sneaky smile that I was falling in love with was still present. No point in denying it now. I am absolutely falling in love with this man.
“Are you spending the night?”
I shook my head.
“I can persuade you.” He trailed behind me as I walked into the kitchen.
“Oh, really?” I pursed my lips. “What are you going to do? Throw me over your shoulder and shove me into a cold shower?”
He walked over to the kitchen bar and opened the wine refrigerator, then pulled out a bottle of white. His smile was sexy as all hell when he turned back to me, holding two full glasses.
“I had something else in mind.” He handed me a glass. The cold, dry wine calmed the butterflies I felt any time I was around him.
I raised my eyebrow, a silent question asked between us. Leaning down, he kissed the tip of my nose. “Give me five minutes.” He walked down the hallway.
I was disappointed when he didn’t turn toward his room of tricks. With my long dry spell gone I’d become insatiable, and sex with Peyton was out of this world, something I could never get enough of. You never knew what he had up his sleeve or which version you’d get: soft, adoring, gentle Peyton, or Haas—the toe curling, legs shaking, panty dropping come-hitter.
I was infatuated with both.
Lost in my thoughts, I didn’t notice Peyton returning, though my skin tingled when he approached me. I turned into him and looked up at his golden eyes; they were like the sun melting the icicles of my heart.
Peyton handed me my glass of wine and the opened bottle before he swooped me off the floor and cradled me in his arms. I laughed. I was used to being tossed over his shoulder, so this was a new and welcome surprise.
“That’s almost my favorite sound,” he said, his relaxed voice bouncing off the walls of his house. He was only thirty, but he always seemed older and wiser. Maybe it was because he ran his own law firm, and could potentially run the McAlister empire one day. But in the past twenty-four hours, he had been acting more his age. Carefree.
“What’s your favorite sound?” I asked as he carried me to his bedroom.
“The sound you make right before you come.” He planted my feet on the shag rug in the bathroom. “It’s a quick gasp of air, followed by a soft, long moan.” He took the wine from my hand and placed it on the counter. “That is my favorite sound, though your laughter comes in at a close second. Stay right here.” He kissed the tip of my nose.
Lost in his words, I didn’t notice the bathroom until he walked away. He had transformed it—the blinds were drawn, every surface was covered with lit candles, and in the far corner the water was running, filling his oversized Jacuzzi. The light in the bright room dimmed when he flipped the switch. He stalked back to me, and my heart thundered in my chest.
“This is what I wanted to do last night.” He passed his T-shirt over his head before unclasping his jeans. I reached for the hem of my shirt, but he stopped me. “Let me.”
Peyton dropped his boxer briefs before he began to undress me. Item by item, inch by inch, my skin illuminated from the flickering flames. Reaching around me, he unclasped my bra and let it drop to my feet as he kissed my shoulder. Peyton lowered himself to his knees, then kissed my stomach, my ribs, my hipbone. He made undressing me into an art form as he took his time, considering every move before he made it.
Words unspoken.
Heart racing.
Once I was naked, he gave me back my wine and led me to the tub. I stepped over the ledge and the hot water briefly burned my skin. Peyton eased himself in, adjusting to the water temperature, and then his hand came up to take mine. Placing my wine next to his on the edge of the tub, I lowered myself into the water. The sweet-smelling bubbles covered me as I slid in across from him.
“Is the water warm enough?”
“Yeah, the water is fine.” Securing my hair in a high bun, I leaned back, letting the jets pulse against my sore muscles.
“Come here.” He lifted both hands up and out of the water.
Treading the water slowly, I moved through the mountains of bubbles before I found him. He held on to me, turning me around and bringing me between his legs. His semi-hard cock pressed into my lower back, and my nipples perked.
“You’re quiet. Something on your mind?” His hands came up, rubbing my shoulder blad
es.
“No, this is perfect. It’s exactly what I needed, even if it is a day later.” I chuckled.
He growled. “Don’t sass me. You know my forms of punishment.”
“Some of your punishments I enjoy.”
“Really?” His hands moved from my shoulders to wrap around my chest, one cupping each breast. “So the cold shower was something you enjoyed?” His thumb played with my pebbled nipple.
“No,” I moaned. “But once the water got hotter, I enjoyed it very much.”
“I agree with you there.”
“And I enjoyed being pinned to the wall.” I began to chuckle when he pinched my nipple, the surprising bite of pain pulling air into my lungs.
“I love how your body reacts to me,” he whispered in my ear before biting my neck. “It gets me rock hard knowing that I do this to you.”
“Every touch, every kiss … hell, even every gaze,” I confessed. He had full control of every emotion, every response.
He pushed his solid dick against my back. “How wet are you?”
Reaching for my wine glass, I gave him the snarkiest answer I could think of. “I’m in a tub filled with water. I’m soaking wet.” I took a long sip. “You know, sometimes I don’t think you’re that smart.” I set my glass back down.
“Smart mouth.” He laughed, lowering his hand between my legs. “I meant down here.” He spread my lips, his fingers sliding over my clit. Though we were both wet, I could feel the slickness between my legs, my readiness allowing him to slide up and down.
“What, you don’t have any smartass remark now?” I could only shake my head, lost in the moment as each of his hands played my body in harmony. “Spend the night, Braelynn.”
“Peyton,” I moaned.
“I know what your body wants, what it craves. Don’t deny it.”
“Peyton, please … I have to go home. I need clothes for work tomorrow.” My eyes rolled to the back of my head, my impending release only a few strokes away.
Opening my legs wider with his legs, he held me in place. “Stop fighting it. I can give you exactly what you want, what your body wants. Give in to me.” He kissed my neck again, and his nose rubbed through my hair. “Stay.”
“I … can’t.”
“Stay.” He dipped his fingers into my core.
“No.” My tone was lower each time I fought back.
“Let me in, Lynn. Stay with me. Let me give you what you want.”
“Okay … I’ll stay.”
“Tell me,” he commanded.
“Please … make me come.” I pushed down on his fingers. His hand moved away from my core. Left wanting, I looked up at him, confused by the expression on his face. “Seriously, you really don’t play fair.”
“Let me in. Let me give you what you want. Give in to me,” he repeated.
“Buddy, you were all in, mere seconds from giving me exactly what I want.”
His legs held mine open, his hands resting on my stomach. “I control your emotions, you’ve said that yourself, and though you fight me in every way possible, I know what you want.” His finger traced a small heart over my abdomen, the same movement over and over. “Let me in, Lynn. Give in to me.”
I closed my eyes, not understanding what he was saying. Breathing slowly, I concentrated on his finger. The way it slowly came up, tracing two mounds before dragging back down to where he started.
Let me in, Lynn …
Heart …
Let me in, Lynn …
Heart …
Let …
Heart …
Me …
Heart …
In …
Heart …
My heart hammered in my chest and unwanted tears formed.
“I know how your heart thumps when I’m around. It’s the same rhythm mine has when you smile. You walked into my life and I can’t seem to let you go.” He tilted my head back so I was forced to look at him. “Don’t fight me, Braelynn. Let me into your heart. Please. Because you already own mine.”
I jumped up, wrapped my legs around his waist, and brought my lips down to his. Water splashed and spilled over, but I didn’t care. Hungry for him, I let my tongue twirl with his, my hands pulling and tugging on his hair as I devoured his mouth. His hands rose up my back, holding me in place, cupping the nape of my neck.
My heart was his.
No more fighting it.
No denying this was what I wanted. Needed.
Throwing caution to the wind, I held onto Peyton.
I pulled away from him as my eyes glassed over. I nodded, letting him know he had me, all of me. My heart was his—for the first time it belonged to someone. “Mine?” I asked, holding my hands over his beating chest.
“Yours. Ever since you let me buy you a drink and walked away without batting your eyes. Yours,” he reassured me, his palms cupping my cheeks.
“Peyton,” I whispered between our lips. “Make love to me.” It was something I had never said before, something I had never experienced. If it was cliché, I didn’t care. I was more than certain I was in love with this man.
With my legs secured around his waist, he lifted us both from the tub as my mouth attacked his neck. Peyton brought me to the countertop and rested my backside on the ledge so he could reach for a towel. Wrapping it around me, his lips found mine again. They were soft on mine, smooth like a rose petal. He held me in place, taking full advantage of my tongue, lips, and chin.
I reached between us for his cock, but his hand grabbed mine, stopping me.
“Not here.” He lifted me off the counter and carried me to his bedroom. Centering me on his bed and lying beside me, he yanked up the comforter, covering our entangled legs.
Leaning on his elbow, Peyton pulled away from me, his eyes searching mine for … something. I laid my hand on his cheek. I wanted to tell him I loved him, but the words were lost in me.
“One, four, three.”
“One, four, three?”
I brought my lips to his. “One, four, three.”
I hoped my lips translated what I meant. One, four, three. The number of letters in each of the three words lost inside me.
I. One. Love. Four. You. Three.
Peyton positioned himself at my core. He slid in slowly, opening me wider with each inch until he could go no farther. He held my head in the palms of his hands, resting his forehead on mine before drawing back and thrusting deeper.
Whether I was hormonal, in love, or a big mush, I didn’t care.
Passion …
Need …
Desire …
Hunger …
They all fused together in one swell of emotion as the man I loved made me his, once and for all. Taking his time with each thrust, Peyton brought me closer, hitting that spot only he could reach. My breathing became heavier and my thighs quivered as I attempted to wait for him, but he hit me exactly where I needed it and my eyes rolled to the back of my head, followed by a gasp of air before the moan.
“My favorite,” he said, picking up the pace just enough to prolong my release and find his own. His head rested on the side on my neck. I hugged him, sharing this most intimate moment. When we both regained control of our limbs, he pulled out of me and grabbed the towel to clean up.
I covered his body with mine. I couldn’t get off this high, didn’t want to. I needed to be close to him.
His hand traced a heart over my goose bumped skin.
I wanted to ask him what we were to each other now, but I found myself afraid of what his answer might be. I had fallen so head over heels for him that it physically pained me to think of losing him, this, whatever this was. Love.
“I have a surprise for you.”
I looked at him. “I like surprises.”
“After our shower last night, I realized I’d left you without any clean clothes. This morning, after they were washed, an idea came to me. It’s in the closet.”
“Can I go get it?” I was up on my knees, smiling and excited and
waiting for his answer.
“Uh … well, I guess you can see what it is.”
I turned on the light to the closet before walking in. The room was about the size of my apartment bedroom, but Peyton had it filled. His suits, jackets, shirts, and shoes were all stowed neatly, and then there were his built-in drawers. I did a quick scan of the room and couldn’t find anything different. Nothing popped out; nothing was wrapped.
“Right-hand side,” he said as he approached. Turning as directed, I stopped when I noticed women’s clothes. “I figured I could make room in here for you. That way you can’t use the excuse that you need to go home because you don’t have clothes here.”
“Those aren’t mine, Peyton.”
“I know. I had Melissa do some shopping for me today. Spencer helped me guess your sizes. It’s just a few essential things.”
“Melissa? Your receptionist?”
“She’s my assistant. If you don’t like the clothes, I can have them returned.”
I was still naked, so I took a T-shirt from the shelf in front of me. “She knows about us?”
Walking over to me, he held me by my shoulders. “She doesn’t know anything about us. Calm down. You look like you’re going to start hyperventilating.” He smiled and kissed my forehead. “I want you here. With me.”
I looked back at the clothes: a few blouses, slacks, and shoes. Even jewelry. “Thank you. I wasn’t freaking out because of the clothes. I’m just wondering if someone else knows about us.”
“Just a few more days until pre-trial, and then we can decide how long before the world knows you’re mine.”
I wrapped my arms around his neck, my fingers finding his hair, his words floating around in my heart.
Just a few more days.
I couldn’t wait to shout from the rooftops that he was mine.
Braelynn
The next morning I woke before the sun rose in the Manhattan sky. I hadn’t been able to close my eyes for more than an hour all night. Between Peyton’s admission that his heart belonged to me and the incredible experience afterward, and Mackenzie’s appointment at my office, my mind was racing. I crawled out of bed, leaving Peyton snoring. Showered and dressed in my new wardrobe, I left him a note on the kitchen counter before tiptoeing out of his house. Even walking the few blocks to my house to pick up my work tote, and then all the way back to the office, I still managed to be there an hour before anyone else arrived.
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