by C. S. Janey
I always used his full name. I never liked shortening it; plus crying out ‘Bradley!’ as I got off seemed so much sexier to me.
“Not from there. I need you to come here. Tomorrow.”
I gasped. “I can’t just come there. My daughter…”
He almost always had the same weekend off, which had come in handy when planning our times together. Sometimes they’d varied and we’d had to switch them up but this certainly wasn’t our weekend. I couldn’t just leave her here randomly when my mother wasn’t expecting to watch her. “You can bring her, too.”
At that, my heart stuttered. I coughed, choking on my surprise at his words. “She doesn’t—we can’t—”
“I know,” He cut me off with a chuckle. “You can use the guest rooms.”
I sat down, utterly confused now. “What do you need me for again?”
I know he hadn’t said but I don’t know if he realized that. “A charity dinner. I need a date.”
“What? No Pearl?”
That was a receptionist where he worked. He always took her to the events. She had a thing for him, but Bradley completely ignored it. He’d told me it was platonic and she’d agreed, yet I’d always gotten the impression she was just waiting. She didn’t like me and we’d met a few times very briefly.
“She’s sick.”
“Ah…”
I bit my lip, unsure if this would be a good idea or if I’d regret it. The fact he’d called me to fill in, however, touched me even though I knew it shouldn’t. He probably didn’t have anybody else to ask.
“I guess,” I finally said, then heard him sigh with relief.
“Good. I’ll book your flights. How do you spell your daughters name?”
I told him and soon after we hung up.
A few minutes later, the itinerary arrived in my email. Our flight would leave at ten a.m. She’d miss school tomorrow, but I couldn’t leave her here. I went off to tell her and my mother where we were going, steeling myself for the look of disgust on my mother’s face.
I didn’t care though. I grinned, feeling happy for the first time in days that it would be just over twenty hours until I saw Bradley again. I wouldn’t let anything get me down.
~*~
Thankfully, we had a direct flight. Arriving in the late evening, both of us were exhausted. Annalina spent most of the whole flight with her face on the window, eyes wide. Her joy at seeing everything from up in the sky had both of us laughing. Hearing about being in a plane never compared to actually being in one high up in the sky.
Excited to meet my boss, she also asked me questions the whole way there. Ones I couldn’t answer, such as what charity dinner we were going to. I shrugged, telling her he’d been in such a hurry to make sure we could come that he’d forgotten to tell me.
As we exited the gate and headed to baggage claim, I stopped abruptly at seeing him waiting for us. Annalina crashed into the back of me and I fell forward, hitting the ground.
“Mom! Are you okay?”
Before I could respond, his hand filled my view. “Lucy.”
My face flamed as I took his hand. He pulled me up and I immediately looked down, adjusting my clothes as I looked at my daughter. “I’m fine sweetie. It was my fault.”
She looked at me, then at Bradley before pointing over my shoulder. “I see our bags! I’ll go get them!”
Running off before I could reply, Bradley took the opportunity to cup my face in his hand, stroking softly with the pad of his thumb. “I’m sorry if I shocked you.”
Meeting his eyes with mine, I nearly melted right there at the look on his face. His eyes were the same deep silver shade as when we were in bed together, crinkled at the corners, the smile on his mouth a decidedly naughty one. He might be sorry I’d ended up on the floor, but he definitely had meant to surprise me.
I flicked my gaze over to where my daughter was pulling the luggage off the belt and stepped back, his hand automatically sliding away. The loss of his touch saddened me, but I simply turned to my daughter and smiled as she approached. Bradley stepped forward, one hand out.
“Annalina, I’m Bradley. Nice to meet you.”
She cocked her head to one side before grinning as she stuck her hand in his and shook. “You don’t look as old as I thought you would.”
“Anna!” I gasped even as she laughed.
Bradley shocked me further by joining in with a chuckle. “And you look just like your mother,” he said after a moment, causing Annalina to flush in embarrassment. “Ready to go?”
With a nod, he led us out the door, his hand on the small of my back.
At this point, I’m utterly confused at his behavior. A random phone call, invitation to a dinner with my daughter coming along, picking us up at the airport. I always took a taxi to his place. And keeping his hand on me while we walked? Never happened before.
Planning to question his sudden change in behavior once Annalina was asleep, we got into the car and headed toward his place.
Chapter Three
“Are you sleeping in here with me?”
I stood at the door of the room my daughter would use while at Bradley’s. “No, I’ll be in one of the extra guest rooms. But first, Mr. Blackwell wants to talk to me about the dinner.”
“Okay.” She yawned, her eyes closing sleepily. “Night, mom.”
“Night, sweetie.”
The room goes dark as I shut off the light, shutting the door behind me.
I found Bradley in his room. Enclosing us both inside, he turned around and smiled at me. His shirt hung open, the fly of his pants unbuttoned as if he’d been about to strip. He lifted his glass to his mouth and downed the rest of the amber liquor, his eyes never leaving mine. I didn’t question my assessment; the drink of his choice always remained the same.
He put the glass down and shrugged out of his shirt, making me tingle with awareness.
I didn’t speak. I didn’t know what to say.
I licked my lips, dry again as they were. He scowled and stalked towards me. When he stopped, our bodies were only inches apart, my back against the door. I had nowhere to go.
“Stop doing that,” he growled. “I can’t behave if you look at me like that.”
He put a hand on either side of me, our faces a mere inch apart. Usually, I knew that it was he doing the chasing; yet, in this moment, I could no longer be sure.
“Do you ever?” My question was softly spoken, my eyes searching his as they darkened.
“No, I don’t suppose I do around you,” he murmured. “Why is that?”
I closed my eyes, unable to stop the small moan from escaping at his words as desire rushed through me. “Why’d you ask me here?”
The words were out before I could stop them and at his sudden intake of breath, I forced myself to look at him again. He hadn’t moved, his lips still mere inches from mine. He stepped closer, not moving our faces any closer, even though our bodies now touched the other from the chest down.
“Why’d you say yes?”
Every breath had my nipples brushing against his chest, the soft cotton of my shirt rubbing in such a way that my nipples perked up to the point of painful; the heat of him, the desire of him against my softness, emanating off him in waves. I knew he waited for my answer, yet I wasn’t sure I could speak. I opened my mouth only to close it again.
His hands left the wall, only for each to slide down my sides to my waist, then the curve of my backside. He gripped me with both hands, rocking our bodies together at the same time his lips brushed mine. I leaned into it, only for him to pull away. I growled in frustration.
“Still wondering?” His voice teased as his body taunted me. I nodded, even though I wasn’t really sure what we were talking about anymore. “Answer me, Lucy. Why’d you say yes?”
I didn’t want to answer. Afraid he wouldn’t like the answer, I lifted my hands to his chest and splayed my fingers, eyes dropping to stare at them.
“No. Look at me.”
A
command, and one I couldn’t refuse. Those were the rules. Held captive, I didn’t look away again as I took a deep breath and answered him. “I didn’t dare say no.”
At that, a wolfish grin lit up his face. He rewarded me with a lingering kiss, nipping my lip enough to make me gasp only to lick the same spot mere seconds later.
“Did you miss me?”
Again, a question whispered against my mouth. I knew the answer to this one too. It helped that it was true. “Yes.”
My voice quivered. I longed to hear the same admission from him, yet I didn’t dare to ask. I’m not allowed. I’m not supposed to miss him, I’m not supposed to love him. I squeezed my eyes shut, so tightly I began to see stars yet I daren’t open them while his eyes were on me, afraid he would see the truth.
“Do you need me inside you right now? If I touch you, will you be ready for me?”
I knew how this game was played. I said nothing as he buried his head against my neck, teasing and kissing the sensitive flesh there as one hand roamed to the inside of my legs. Up to the band of my slacks, yanking them down with one hand as he slides down and inside my panties. When his hand finds me, we both groan. Eager for his touch, I buck against it only for him to withdraw.
Before I could even breathe or think I’m faced down against the mattress. I clutched the sheets, my body well aware of what will come next. He pulls my slacks and undies off with one smooth motion, baring me completely. A few seconds more and I felt him enter me, sheathing himself so fast and hard that I cried out, grateful for the bed to muffle my sounds with. My legs dangling over the edge gave him the perfect access to me and he leaned forward, kissing and caressing my back. He moved in and out, a slow and steady pace that had me pushing me against him, my body wanting release soon.
Then he paused, his grip firm to hold me in place. “You can ask me one question, Lucy. It will cost you five though.”
Five. I know what he meant and felt my body flush at the words. Excitement coursed through me.
Any question and he would answer with the truth.
But he’d spank me for it. Five, on my bare ass, with his bare hand.
I knew I played with fire and going to get burnt and all that, yet I couldn’t resist. I needed to know.
“D-did you miss me too?”
Whack!
The first one stung, so swift and true I forget to cover my face on the bed, crying out. He pushed my head down with a gentle force, making me grip the sheets tighter as another slap landed, the rest following in quick succession.
Whack! Whack! Whack! Whack!
He rubbed the same spot he hit then, still unmoving inside me yet I know him to be turned on completely. Then, without another word, he withdrew and entered just as swiftly, over and over until I was sure he would end up ripping me in two.
“Touch yourself,” he demanded.
I released the sheet, sliding one hand down under me until I found where we were connected. Deciding to be naughty, I used two fingers to rub on either side of him as my thumb rubbed against me and he inhaled, gripping my hips tighter.
“Dammit Lucy—”
I squeezed, his words cutting off as a breath hissed through his teeth.
Yes, I knew his game…and he knew mine.
I wanted my answer.
He removed himself abruptly from me, flipping me onto my back before entering me again, his thrusts frenzied. His mouth descended upon mine, tongue seeking instant access. I wrapped my arms around his neck, letting him in a with satisfied giggle, which promptly became lost in his mouth. Over and over, he went in and out of me, until I thought we’d both go mad.
He ripped his mouth away, his breathing heavy as he stared down at me with heavy lidded eyes. “I want you to come for me.”
I loved those words and usually, I would. I’d let go and do as he said, as I wanted and was ready for. But today, today I was greedy. The pleasure coursed through me, my body crying out for release and yet, I held back.
“When you answer my question.”
I could tell his restraint wouldn’t last long. Mine wouldn’t either. I wasn’t sure who would win. He never took his eyes off mine, speeding up to a pace that shocked even me. I was on fire and all I wanted to do was hear him admit it. There had been no other reason for him to call me, he could have found someone to go with him if he’d tried.
He wanted me and I wanted him to admit it. “Say it!”
“Yes, damn you.” He slammed into me, angling his body just the way I liked, rubbing against me perfectly. “Yes, I missed you! Fuck. Fuck! It wasn’t supposed to happen like this!”
His face looked pained as he said it but he never looked away.
I did though. My orgasm ripped through and I shoved my arm into my mouth to smother the cry, my head thrown back as I shook with the strength of my release.
Bradley followed a few seconds later, stiffening for just a few seconds before his body rested on mine.
Sex with him had never felt so delicious as it did right then.
~*~
“Why did you bring me here?”
We were lying on the bed after, but not cuddling. Never cuddling. In fact, I’d bet money on it that Bradley never snuggled with anyone in his life. Could go so far as to say he never even hugged anyone either.
Shame on his mother, I often said to myself. Then again, Bradley never mentioned his parents so I couldn’t even be sure about that. We were intimate and I knew many small things about him, but nothing about most of his past. I had even looked online, but nothing. The man and the doctor didn’t even seem like the same person, but since it wasn’t out on the internet, I guess in a way I knew him better than the rest of the world did.
He turned his head toward me, his gaze leaving the ceiling to find my eyes. He didn’t turn to me though. He didn’t touch me. Matter of fact, except during sex or while I did his tie for him, he never touched me voluntarily. Hence why the hand on the face at the airport had rattled me.
“I needed you for the charity dinner. You know that.” He frowned at me, the look on his face warning me that now was not the time to question him.
I’d gotten brave though. Something had changed in the last week — in the last twenty-four hours, actually — and I wanted to know what it was. I sat up abruptly, scowling right back at him.
“Don’t lie to me, Bradley. You may pay me to spend time with you, and it turned into more than that with the sex, but I’m not stupid.”
His eyebrows rose at my words. “What does that have to do with anything?”
“Before me, had you ever done this? Paid someone?”
Now he sat up, sighing as he tossed back the covers. Standing up, he walked over to the bar. “Do you want something to drink?”
“No,” I huffed. “I want you to answer me.”
He stiffened, his back straightening even as he poured a drink before replacing the cap. “I don’t like your tone. And I don’t like when you question me.”
“Well, too fucking bad.”
He whirled around, the drink in his hand sloshing over the rim a little, his face growing stormy. “Excuse me?”
“You heard me. I know you have perfect hearing.”
He took a drink, his eyes never looking away from me, but I saw the smirk on his face before he did so. I didn’t say anything else. I waited for him to answer me.
“No.” His sudden admission startled me and I jumped at them. “When I met you, it was the first time.”
I cocked my head to the side, raising a brow at him. “Why?”
He shook his head. “I don’t think it’s any of your business.”
I hopped out of the bed and started picking up my clothes. “I guess you won’t mind if I leave and go back home then.”
“What?” He sounded incredulous, but I didn’t look at him. “Lucy, stop.”
“No.” I began getting dressed, my back facing him. “I think leaving is a great idea.”
“What is your problem? You’ve been acting str
ange since I picked you up.”
I turned around, throwing my hands up in the air in exasperation. “Me? How about you?”
“I haven’t done anything strange.”
“Really?” I crossed my arms over my chest and gaped at him. “Let me count them. One, you picked me up from the airport. When have you ever done that?” He opened his mouth but I put up a hand to stop him. “Let me finish.”
He sat the glass down on the table by where he stood and nodded. He was still naked so I kept my eyes on his chest. I felt anything but amorous at that point and didn’t want to unwittingly give him an invitation to try and derail the conversation.
“Then, you not only put your hand on my face — with my daughter close by, of all things — but then you keep your hand on my back the whole way through and out of the airport. All of this after you call me up not even two weeks since our last time together, insisting that you need me for a dinner.” I took a deep breath as he frowned again. “You never touch me voluntarily, Bradley. I always take a taxi here to your place. You’ve never, ever called me while I wasn’t here. You can’t just change the rules and not expect me to question you.”
“I see.” He smiled as I finally looked back at his face. “So, I can’t be kind to you?”
I laughed, but it wasn’t with humor. “You are a lot of things, Bradley. But I wouldn’t say being kind enough to go out of your preferred way of doing things is one of them.”
“Well, that’s not very nice.” He came over to me and stopped just before we touched. “I’ve never been mean to you. Why would you say such a thing?”
I shook my head, clasping my hands behind my back even though my eyes never left his. “You don’t have to be mean to not be kind, Bradley. You’re…closed off. You only let people see what you want them to see, and that’s all.”
“Ah. So you’ve got me pegged then, is that it?” His hand cradled my face, his thumb caressing my cheek and I closed my eyes as I took a shuddering breath. “I can break the rules if I want to, Lucille. I made them.”
At the use of my full first name, my eyes flew open. His eyes burned into mine, my whole body lighting on fire at the intent in his. His thumb stroked my lip and I gasped as he leaned in, catching it with his teeth before sucking gently. I kept my hands clasped behind my back, unwilling to give in to his seduction while still so confused.
