The Bad Boy Arrangement

by Nora Flite

  His lips split into an angled grin. “Naughty girl.”

  “A jizz joke?” I laughed lightly. “If you're trying to get me flustered, you'll have to try harder.”

  Angling his head like a hawk, Abell set his cup down on the counter. Slowly, with purpose, he rounded the kitchen island until he was standing over me. On reflex I backed up, my thighs bumping the sink.

  I was trapped.

  “You shouldn't give me instructions,” he whispered, fingers circling my wrist just below my mug. “I'm the kind of guy that will listen. Telling me what I need to do to make you blush is dangerous.”

  My mouth was suddenly dry, I couldn't even remember the taste of my drink. Abell ruled my senses.

  I could see where his eyelashes connected with the hooded lids of his heated eyes. I could even see the tiny lines across his perfectly smirking lips. We were too close, and I knew it, but my brain was firing wrong.

  Stop this, I told myself, Don't let him get to you.

  I had wanted to go home and think. There was so much riding on me, and I hadn't had the time to process it fairly.

  Abell was showing me he knew exactly how to take over my mind. His nearness was as good as a typhoon, demanding my attention and roaring that if I stayed or if I ran, the result would be the same.

  He would consume me.

  “Nix,” he said under his breath.

  “Y—yeah?”

  Smiling slowly, he ran his thumb in a circle around the underside of my wrist. “You're spilling coffee everywhere.”

  Glancing down, I saw that my floor was shining from the constant drip of my drink. Unconsciously, I'd been tipping it as I leaned towards Abell. I shook myself, realizing I'd been inches away from kissing him. I knew he'd taste like the tang of fresh brewed coffee. He'd be delicious, he'd—Stop!

  Reaching out with my other hand, I grabbed my mug and set it on the sink. Then, I peeled at his fingers; he let me go reluctantly. “Abell, no, we aren't doing this.”

  “Doing what?” he asked, still hovering over me.

  His thigh touched mine, and I jumped. “This. I wasn't playing hard to get, I really have no plans to do anything with you. Ever,” I added for emphasis.

  Chuckling, he rubbed his leg on mine, sliding it inside my knee until we were twisted up like a pretzel. His hands came down on the counter behind me, halting any escape. “You're trying to tell me none of this is tempting you?”

  Unable to look away from his stare, my breathing became choppy. “I'm cold as a fish.”

  “Oh yeah?” His eyes flicked down, staring pointedly at my shirt. I followed his gaze, noticing what he had; my nipples were stabbing through the fabric.

  Biting my tongue, I searched for a response. “It's just chilly in here.”

  He twisted his lips together. “Then I'll have to warm you up.”

  Something was crushing into my hip, digging in hard. With my heart pressing into my ribs, I shut my eyes. I knew what was grinding against me so firmly.

  That's his cock.

  He had a hard-on thick enough to drill through his jeans.

  Abell whispered, “I never did get lunch. Maybe I could eat something else?”

  Each time my heart thumped, it strangled my brain. This can't happen. Subconsciously, I rocked my body against his. Abell inhaled sharply, a small noise in his throat.

  His fingers coiled in my hair. Vibrations echoed through my bones, rolling into my pussy, my clit already so swollen I felt my panties rubbing it with every small shift of my hips.

  It felt amazing, and I knew, if I just... just let this happen, it'd be...

  Abell shrugged out of his jacket. As it hit my floor, something hard bounced free of the pocket, sliding on the tile. Blinking, I focused on the mystery object. It was black velvet, a tiny square.

  I knew, if I opened it, I'd find a ring.

  The sight of it sent me spinning. With all my strength, I shoved Abell away so hard he stumbled into the island. Air flooded my lungs, every breath tasting like him. “You need to leave,” I rasped, crushing the counter behind me; I needed something to hold me up.

  The surprise in his eyes rivaled the burning lust. Patiently, he straightened up. Then he reached down, adjusting his blatant erection. “You're sure?”

  Shifting on my heels, I could feel the wetness in my panties. “Get out.” Holding my chin as high as I could, I kept my voice steady. “Right now. Leave, Abell. I'm not some toy for you to fuck around with.”

  “What,” he chuckled. “Did you want to stay pure until after our wedding? Because I have bad news for you.”

  My eyes fell to the velvet box, and he followed me, his expression going dark. “You brought a ring with you? Are you that confident I'll just say yes?” Not waiting for an answer, I pointed at the door. “Get out. Now.”

  Bending down, he plucked up the box, sliding it into his pocket. Languidly, he walked away, thumbs tucking into his belt. Over his shoulder he said, “We're going to have to make this work, and you know that. I want to keep what I have, and you want to keep access to your future. Pretending you're going to choose another option besides marrying me does us both a disservice.”

  Breathing in, I said nothing.

  Cracking the door, he stared at me. Just his eyes had my blood racing. With a final smile, Abell shrugged. “You should have let me stay. I would have eaten your pussy until you passed out.”

  The door shut softly behind him.

  - Chapter Five -

  Abell

  The instant I was outside, I pushed my hands over my eyes and filled my lungs. This air was fresh, clean.

  Free of Nix.

  Fuck, I thought, She's like a wool blanket I can't shake off. I'd hoped to seduce her, begin my plan of getting her to marry me. The damn ring had messed that up, but...

  I had no control in there.

  It had gone out the window the second I'd gotten near her. It was good that she'd told me to leave. The detached nature of my usual flirting had cracked. When I'd touched her wrist, it had taken all I had not to twirl her around and rip her pants down to her ankles.

  I'd have been fucking her before she could put the mug of coffee down.

  I was aching to have her again.

  Did she notice?

  I wondered if my mask had been good enough. I couldn't let her see how hungry I was for her pussy, for the sounds she'd make. That would take my power away.

  I didn't remember the last time I'd wanted someone so badly.

  Shaking myself, I gulped more air. The thumping in my ears faded, a calmness washing over me. Okay, there we go. Better. Ruffling my hair, I glanced back at her apartment. No. Not better. I need to get further away.

  Being so close was tempting me to bust back inside.

  If I did, I wasn't sure I could stop myself from ravaging her curves. Crushing my fists to my temples, I stomped towards my car. Driving would clear my mind, it always did.

  Slamming the door shut, I revved the engine violently. The rock music we'd been listening to together poured from my speakers, sliding into my veins and reminding me of Nix.

  The volume knob broke in my fingers from how hard I twisted it to turn it off.

  Blessed by silence, I threw the piece of plastic to the floor. The windows were down, the wind biting my cheeks as I pulled down the street. It was hard to go fast in New York, the city wasn't made for it, but I tried anyway.

  What happened back there? I asked myself, finally feeling the fog lift. It had started as my typical method, me using any lines I could to get the topic pointed at sex. The cream bit was too perfect.

  But then, the second I got within reach of her, the game had changed.

  Nix had her own gravity, I was floating in her orbit. All of her tiny sounds, subtle reactions, they pushed me towards an edge. I didn't want to know what lay at the bottom of it.

  You need to use her. Remember how much she hates you. It was easier said than done. Nix had a fire inside of her, and while it scorched me, it a
lso heated me up. I liked the attitude she had. The challenge of conquering her turned me on feverishly.

  Right. Conquer her. Rule her. Don't let her take over.

  I was the one in charge. I had to remind myself of that. This girl, she could never be more than a piece on the side. My wife in name, only.

  What am I so scared of? I asked myself, laughing out loud. She's nothing to me. I just got a little worked up back there. She's hot, that's not new, that's not unique.

  Nix was nothing special.

  And if I wanted to keep my loose and free lifestyle...

  She never could be.

  - Chapter Six -

  Nix

  Clutching my chest, I stood by the sink long after Abell had left. Each breath was a struggle, I was hyperventilating. In my mind, one sentence played over and over.

  I almost kissed him again.

  I'd come so close! What was I thinking? Why was I so weak? Letting Abell drive me home was a mistake, but letting him inside was a damn catastrophe. He'd been a walking beacon of sex. His blue eyes had promised me perverse, delicious things.

  And his cock, rubbing up against my thigh...

  Turning around, I twisted the sink knobs. In desperation to escape this madness, I shoved my head right into the cold flowing water. “Ah!” I gasped, whipping my hair back, droplets flying around my apartment.

  I was soaked, but my brain was finally free.

  “I can't sleep with him,” I said to the empty room. “Never again. I just can't.” But how was I going to save my company? Or was I going to just give it all up?

  He brought a ring with him.

  Abell wasn't playing around. He'd said he meant to marry me, to use me to keep his money, and he was serious. I was nothing to him, but... he was nothing to me. A guy like him was bad news.

  All he wants from me is sex. The visual that brought—his muscles flexing, his cock ruddy with desire—had me shivering. All I want is...

  What?

  My company, I told myself. I can't lose that. But marrying Abell and being forced to give his father a grandkid, that was too much.

  The memory of sleeping with Abell had me recalling the condoms spilling from his bedside table. I couldn't imagine needing so many.

  If I marry him, I won't be seeing condoms.

  Abell would fuck me, filling me with cum. That taboo realization had my heart throbbing almost as much as my clit. Stop it! You can't sleep with him!

  But I did have to marry him. It was the only way to keep everyone happy.

  Could we both get what we wanted without compromising?

  If I talk to Abell, tell him I'll marry him as long as we never consummate it... Could that work?

  I walked towards my bathroom, pulling my clothes off as I went.

  We could lie.

  Gripping the doorway, I grinned. It'd be easy enough. Get married, then say we're 'trying' to get pregnant, but it isn't working. That happened to people all the time! How could we be blamed if it didn't work out? Surely, the contract wouldn't be broken because of a 'biological' issue?

  Feeling like a genius, I turned my shower on until the room billowed with steam. I hurried to wash up, eager to remove the day-old sweat. I know what I have to do. The plan I had gave me a sense of control.

  After almost giving in to Abell like I had...

  I needed all the control I could get.

  ****

  When my alarm went off the next morning, I was ready for it.

  Jumping out of bed, I stretched my arms wide, yawning. Through the white curtains of my bedroom window, the sun was a welcome beacon.

  Yesterday, I'd awoken in a stranger's bed.

  That had been the start of the worst day of my life.

  But today, I thought, beginning my precise morning routine, Today, things will be different.

  I wasn't excited about my plan, but it was a plan. That counted for something.

  Having a way to make this mess result in some resemblance to the future I'd meticulously worked towards gave me a bit of strength.

  In my mirror, I brushed my hair until it shined. I'd always struggled with frizz, so I made sure to take extra time to get every strand in place. When I was finished, I'd tied my hair back in my typical bun; shiny and immaculate.

  I'd laid new clothes out last night. That way, they wouldn't get wrinkled. Even so, I ironed them for the second time. When I was done, they were stiff enough to cut a muffin in two.

  Speaking of which.

  Dressing carefully, I grabbed myself a cup of coffee from my pre-programmed machine, and then a cranberry muffin from the counter. I loved sweets, but thanks to my 'attentive' (as she called it) mother, I'd developed an odd relationship with them.

  She'd tried to ban them from my life. In subtle retaliation, I indulged in the treats whenever I could.

  Who could blame me?

  Desserts are fucking delicious.

  Washing my hands, I did a final check in the mirror. Yesterday, my parents had seen me in a state I never wanted to repeat. Being prim, proper, it reminded me that I was a Halloway.

  I had power, I had money, and I'd do what I had to in order to keep it.

  But I'm not like him, I told myself firmly. Abell wanted everything for himself. I wanted to be CEO not just for me, but for Gram, too. I planned to keep my promise to him, to make his life better.

  That was what made me less selfish than Abell.

  I clung to that fact fiercely.

  Shoving into my jacket, I hurried out the door. I knew the exact time I had to be at the metro, and no way I was missing it. Today, I'd show my parents what I was made of.

  I was a Halloway.

  And we always achieved what we worked for.

  ****

  My heels chopped along the sidewalk as I exited the subway. I was striding, head held high—and then higher—when I spotted Halloway Inc.

  The building, my building, stood tall in the middle of the city. The red brick was brighter than the other structures surrounding it, a fact I was always delighted by. This was a company to be proud of.

  It'll be mine. Clenching my fist, I exhaled. The sight of the building had renewed my determination.

  Crossing the street, I shuffled through the automatic doors. The front desk was a half-moon of white wood, the man behind it busy talking on the phone. I knew his name was Conroy, I made it a point to try and learn the names of every employee.

  I waved at him as he caught my eye. His pleasant smile was my reward.

  Turning the corner, I power-walked down the hall, ready to enter my mother's office.

  But I didn't need to go that far.

  She was standing right in the hall.

  My heart stuttered, confronted by the woman who had controlled me my whole life. I'd never known someone so intimidating. Don't be scared, just tell her what you're going to do!

  Forcing my head higher, I cleared my throat. “Mom.”

  Turning, she stopped staring at her phone. She was rarely without the thing, always typing away or talking to someone. “Nichole,” she said, lifting an eyebrow. “Good to see you're here on time today.”

  Crinkling my mouth, I bit back the comment I wanted to let fly. Focus. “Mom, listen. I need to talk to you about yesterday.”

  Her chest flared with her deep breath. “Yes. I imagine you do. Go on, are you here to tell me how horrible I am again?”

  The muscles along my neck and shoulders turned to steel. It was a wonder I could talk at all. Faced with her doubt, I wanted to show her she was wrong. She clearly thought I was a coward, or worse, a selfish brat.

  But I wasn't.

  I wouldn't be.

  “I decided to agree to the marriage,” I said flatly.

  I'd hoped for her to be shocked. It would have been delicious to see that expression on her puckered face. I wasn't that lucky today, though. Fuck, was I ever lucky?

  Tilting her head, she stared down her nose at me. “You're serious, aren't you? You're really goin
g to do this?”

  The smile I offered her was sour. “What choice do I have? Marrying Abell Birch is the only way to keep the company in our name, and for me to become CEO like I'm meant to be. I'm not losing that.”

  I've given up so much. What's a little more?

  She considered me for a long while. I wondered what she saw, what she thought about my decision. Her face was a polished mask, and it never flinched, not even when she pulled a piece of paper from her purse and handed it to me. “You'll need this.”

  I blinked at it. “What is it?”

  “Everything that needs to get done before the wedding.”

  The piece of paper was a detailed schedule. Food tasting for the reception, flowers for the ceremony... this was the outline for my own misery. I was being forced to wrap myself up in a pretty bow to be thrown to the wolves—or wolf.

  One with frosty eyes and a killer body.

  Reading the list, I shook my head in mild disgust. “You have appointments already lined up. You assumed I'd say yes to this blackmail.”

  “I took precaution. It's good to be prepared.”

  “Right,” I said, tapping the spot that mentioned Macy's Bridal store. “It's important to prepare your daughter for her funeral gown.”

  “It's called a wedding dress. Do you always have to be so dramatic, Nichole?” Ignoring my glare, she handed me a small green envelope.

  Poking the sharp corner, I squinted at the gold seal and elegant writing that spelled my name. “Don't tell me this is a sample wedding invitation, I'm not inviting anyone to this mess.”

  Her mouth scrunched, like she'd eaten a handful of lemon rinds. “It's an invitation to the Birch's Christmas party. It's this weekend, you're going.”

  “You expect me to put on a cocktail dress and make nice with the guy who's selling me to his son?”

  My mother turned away, phone sticking to her ear as she avoided my attempt to burn a hole through her skull with my brain. “Speaking of dresses, don't you dare miss that wedding dress appointment next week. Find something that fits. You don't have much time to slim down, so your options will be limited.”

  Narrowing my eyes at her, I shoved the list and invitation into my purse. “Guess I'll just be stuck with whatever they can dig out from the back, then. Something that fits my apparently gigantic ass.”