by Ravenna Tate
She’d been able to push aside her doubts and worries by keeping so busy the past few days. Now, they tumbled back into her consciousness. Addison pulled away slightly, his eyes filled with worry. “What is it, love?”
“We haven’t told him yet.”
“In the morning.” He kissed the tip of her nose. “Promise. I first wanted to make sure he was on the way to recovery and settled in here.”
She nodded.
“Is there something else on your mind? Talk to me. Please.”
She glanced down at her finger where the twig ring had been. She’d removed it, but it was tucked away inside the dresser of the room she’d chosen as her own. It was now or never. She needed to tell him why she was so reluctant to move forward. It was only fair to let him know her deepest fears.
“What if I can’t do this? What if we get married and I fall apart one day? What if you change your mind, or realize you’ve made a terrible mistake?”
He stroked her hair. “Nadine … I’m forty-one years old. I’ve played around far too long now, and I know what I want.” He cupped her face. “I want you. Only you. I’ve always wanted you. I know your worst secret, and I still want you. I know the sex might never be crazy, over-the-top, kinky and I don’t care. I want you, in whatever way you can give yourself to me. I’m not going to change my mind, and I already know I haven’t made a mistake. The only mistake I’ve made is not telling you all this years ago.”
Tears streamed down her face as she gazed into Addison’s eyes. This was the man of her dreams. He always had been. All she had to do was relax and let him into her life.
Chapter Eighteen
After dinner was over and her father was settled in his rooms with Jesse, a home health aide, Addison told Nadine he’d wait for her in his bedroom. She had taken a room down the hall from his, and had spent the last couple of nights in it, but only after her father had insisted she leave the hospital each night. She’d been so exhausted she’d fallen asleep on top of the comforter.
It wasn’t that she didn’t want to spend the night with Addison in his room. Everything about this situation was foreign to her. She knew her father would heal eventually, but she felt guilty about not being with him all the time.
Addison also had broached the subject of having a psychologist come to the house rather than making her go to them for appointments, and she’d thanked him for that, but also told him she wanted to tell her father first before she resumed therapy sessions. What she didn’t tell Addison was that she wasn’t sure what a therapist could do for her at this point that Addison hadn’t already done.
Ever since she’d told him about the rape, the nightmares had subsided. Even the number of times the memories popped into her head during the day had decreased. She was aware it might be the result of having spent the past week on the surface, looking for her father. Her mind had something else to occupy it.
But now that they were underground again and her father was alive, she still hadn’t dreamed about the rape, or thought about it all day long. She didn’t know what to make of it, and was afraid to hope it might be permanent.
She’d spent four years believing she’d never be free of it, while at the same time longing to be so she could have exactly the kind of relationship Addison had offered to her. Now that she had what she’d prayed for, she didn’t know what to do with it. Maybe Addison was right, after all? She did still need a psychologist.
Either way, she wanted to spend this night with him, and see what happened as a result. Then she could tell her father in the morning about the rape, and make a decision about further therapy. She wanted to let go of it all for one more night and be with the man she loved.
She took her time choosing what to wear, even though she was only walking down the hall, but when she knocked on the door she heard him talking on the phone. He opened it, his face full of excitement, and motioned her inside.
Nadine took a seat in the nearest chair and listened to him talking about Rob Marin and his laptop. When Addison finally finished the phone call, he let out a whoop and pumped his fist in the air. Placing his phone on the nightstand, he strolled toward her, and she stood, smiling. His excitement, even though she didn’t understand what exactly had happened, was infectious.
“I have very exciting news that I know you won’t understand in its entirety, but I want to share it anyway.” He pulled her into his arms and kissed her, and as she wrapped her arms around him, it was easy to forget whatever had him so animated, as well as her earlier doubts and worries.
When he released the kiss, he asked if she remembered them talking about stealing a laptop.
“I remember you talking about it when we were inside the bunker.”
“Barclay will have it by morning. No one saw the men who broke into Rob’s and Olivia’s house to take it.”
“Does he live in NorthCentral? You said that’s where Rob lives, right?”
“Barclay? No, he lives in SouthCentral. One of the men who took it hopped on a train and is riding all night to deliver it to Barclay in the morning.”
“Oh, that’s good. I mean you needed it, right?” It felt odd to congratulate him on having condoned his friends stealing someone’s property, but she understood why they’d had it done.
“Yes, it’s good. It’s beyond good.”
“So what happens now? Does it have the names of the hackers on it?”
“I sure hope so, but none of us want to believe we hit the mother lode that easily. It will take Barclay time to sift through the data.”
“I’m excited for all of you. I hope you find what you were hoping to on the hard drive.”
“So do I, but this isn’t only for us. This is for everyone. Imagine if we were able to stop this program. We could go back up on the surface and begin to rebuild.”
“It’s monumental to think about, isn’t it?”
“Yes, but we can’t lose hope. Not ever. We can’t give up. None of us can do that.”
She shivered at his words, the conviction in his voice, and the passion in his eyes. “That’s what all of you do at the core of this, isn’t it? The tabloids focus on the wrong issues. All your millions … the companies you’ve each built and that survived the move underground, that isn’t what each of you are inside. This is who you are. All of you. This is what you want more than anything, isn’t it? To stop this thing and take back our planet.”
He nodded. “Yes. Yes, it is.” He kissed her again, slowly this time, moving his tongue inside her mouth in ways he hadn’t done yet. Nadine moaned loudly and wrapped her arms around him again, then stepped closer so she could mold her body against his. She needed his warmth tonight, as well as his passion. She wanted to chase away the demons forever, and absorb the energy he gave off.
Addison brushed his hands down her back to her ass, grasping her cheeks. The gesture sent a gush of wetness to her pussy, and her clothes suddenly felt too tight. He released her mouth and planted soft kisses along her jaw line.
“You have on too many things,” he said softly.
“Should I have come here naked instead?”
“Yes.” His mouth brushed her nipple through the fabric of her tank top. “Next time, wear nothing.”
“What if your staff sees me?”
He kissed both nipples, and she gasped as they began to tingle, sending tiny electric jolts straight to her clit. “Doesn’t matter. Better yet, next time be in here already with me. You don’t need your own room, do you?” He grasped her breasts through the top and kneaded them, his expression full of hope.
“No.” She could barely think let alone speak. “No, I really don’t need my own room.”
“Good.” Addison lifted her tank top over her head and tossed it onto the floor. She hadn’t worn a bra on purpose, and was now glad she’d made that decision. “Because I don’t want you to leave my side. I may have to take you to work with me.”
“What about my job?”
He frowned. “Too many questions and not en
ough kissing.”
She clung to him again as he captured her mouth once more, shoving his tongue into it. In a move that felt bold, she moved her hands to his torso and rolled up the hem of his shirt. She was rewarded with a low, sexy groan as he released the kiss so she could remove the garment.
“Now my jeans,” he said.
She undid his jeans and slid them down, giggling when she realized he wasn’t wearing underwear. He was also barefoot, so that only left her shorts because she hadn’t worn panties or shoes, either. “Would you like me to take these off, or do you want to?”
His grin sent fresh wetness to her pussy. Before she could react, he lifted her off the floor and deposited her on top of the comforter. Then he dived between her legs and raked her pussy lips and inner thighs with his teeth, until Nadine was sure she’d go out of her mind. It took him way too long to remove the panties using only his teeth. By the time they were off, she was soaked and so ready for him it was ridiculous.
Addison tossed them onto the floor and spread her legs, licking from right next to her asshole all the way to her clit, over and over again. Nadine could hardly breathe. She’d never felt anything so exquisite in her life. “You’re so wet, Nadine.”
“I can’t help it. You do that to me.”
He moved off the bed and opened the nightstand drawer, then removed a box of condoms and a large bottle of lube. “For later,” he said, winking. “There’s something I want to try.”
She could guess what it was, considering they hadn’t bothered with condoms in the cave, and hadn’t needed lube, either. She’d never had anal sex, and wasn’t sure how she felt about it, but tonight she would give this man anything he wanted. “Okay.”
He raised his brows. “You don’t know what it is yet.”
“Doesn’t matter. I want to try it.”
The look he gave her was nothing short of adoration. He returned to licking her pussy and clit, and this time slid two fingers inside her. She moaned loudly as a crazy orgasm began to build. When he flicked his tongue hard over her clit at the end of each pass, the climax raced through her. She rode the contractions, and before they finished he settled between her legs and slid his dick into her pussy.
“Oh, Nadine. You feel incredible, sweetheart.”
“So do you. I missed you so much.”
He leaned over and kissed her. “I missed you, too. I know it’s only been a few days, but it felt much, much longer.”
She clung to him, locking gazes while he fucked her slowly, almost lazily. It was torture of the most incredible kind, and she never wanted it to end. When he pulled out, she was surprised, until he grinned again. “Turn over, beautiful. Let’s experiment.”
“Oh, that sounds like fun.” Nadine flipped onto her stomach and gasped when Addison gave each ass cheek a quick smack. “On your hands and knees.”
She did as he asked, wondering what he’d do first, but knowing it hardly mattered. She was so damn aroused now she knew she’d love whatever he wanted to try. As long as she was with him, could touch him, and his cock was inside her again, she’d be happy.
He brushed a hand over her pussy from behind, and it was so sexy that she moaned again, arching her ass toward him.
“You’re so fucking beautiful.”
“Thank you.”
He kissed each ass cheek, and then gave them both another smack. “I mean it, Nadine.”
“You overwhelm me, Addison, but in a good way.”
“Maybe one day you’ll let me spank you for real?”
His voice was so hopeful she nearly laughed. “Okay. I’d love to try that.”
His sexy groan sent her arousal out of control again. “Thank you.”
He slipped his dick back into her pussy from behind, and she cried out in pleasure as he thrust, harder now than he’d done before. At this angle, each move massaged the perfect spot, and soon another orgasm was on its way.
He reached underneath and played with her breasts until Nadine was sure she couldn’t stand it much longer. When he pulled out, she stayed where she was and watched him put on a condom.
“If this frightens you, or you don’t like it, please say so.” He leaned down and kissed her gently. “I don’t want to scare you.”
“I will. Promise.”
He poured some lube from the bottle onto his fingers and played with the area around her ass first. Nadine closed her eyes and moaned softly, as unexpected erotic sensations washed over her. When he slipped a finger inside, it didn’t hurt at all. She’d had no idea it would feel this good.
“What do you think, love?”
“I like it. Please keep going.”
Addison kissed her lower back. “That’s my girl. I’m so proud of you.”
Nadine’s entire body glowed with warmth and pride at those words. She blinked back tears as he gently massaged her lower back and ass cheeks with the opposite hand, while slipping two fingers now into her asshole.
The fullness was a bit uncomfortable at first, but once she grew accustomed to it, a peaceful, slipping sensation settled over her and she relaxed into it. He gently stretched the walls, and when he pulled his fingers out, he kissed her again.
“Are you ready, love?”
Nadine let out a shaky breath as tiny shivers ran down her spine. “Yes. Yes, I am.”
He teased the opening to her ass with his sheathed dick, added more lube with his fingers, and then finally eased his cock inside, so slowly that there was no pain at all. Nadine groaned loudly as the climax that had been building began to once more.
“You’re doing great, Nadine. Are you all right?”
“Yes,” she whispered.
“It feels so fucking incredible, baby.”
“For me, too.”
He was all the way in, and fucked her slowly at first, letting her get used to the feel of it, then thrust quickly, moaning loudly as he did so. She was so happy that she’d let him do this, and so damn proud of herself. Tears stung her eyes but not from pain or fear. They were tears of joy that she’d crossed so many barriers with this sexy, wonderful man whom she’d known her entire life.
When she came, Addison cried out and his thrusting grew jerky, then even quicker and she knew he’d come, too.
Their breathing was raspy and swift as he pulled out, took off his condom, and then pulled her into his arms. He stroked her hair and back softly, kissing her head every few seconds. As Nadine drifted off to sleep, wrapped in Addison’s warm, strong arms, she knew there was no place she’d rather be every single day for the rest of her life.
He’d saved her father, and he’d saved her, too. Saved her from the terror of an afternoon four years ago, and saved her from a lifetime of reliving that horrible day and never being able to push it aside long enough to love a man. He’d saved her from never knowing what making love should be like.
She’d give this man anything he wanted for the rest of her life, and she’d never, ever stop loving him.
Chapter Nineteen
The next morning, before Addison surprised Nadine with breakfast in bed, he took a long phone call from Don Everett, one of his friends who did investigative work. He’d hired Don as a plant this past week, without telling anyone about it. He’d put him on the same team as Lee, and used a bullshit excuse for leaving Lee underground for a month. He wanted Lee watched. If he was harassing women on any of Addison’s teams, or on his office staff, Lee was gone.
Addison wanted desperately to shower with Nadine and make love to her again, but knew if he did, they’d likely stay in bed all day and never tell Dixon what he needed to hear.
He also needed to get some work done later. He’d put it off far too long now, and thought it would be good for Nadine to have time with her father. He forced himself to send her to the other bedroom to shower and get dressed, but thought about her naked in his own bathroom with him the entire time he got ready. Maybe later they’d try that, but for now, he needed to help her through this.
Dixon was finishing up
his own breakfast when they entered his rooms, and he smiled brightly at the sight of his daughter. “This is quite the lap of luxury for us, isn’t it?”
“Yes. It’s a beautiful home.”
Addison glanced toward the home health aide. “Nadine and I need some time alone with Dixon. We have something to discuss with him.”
Dixon pushed the tray away. “That’s okay because I can’t eat another bite. Wonderful food.”
“Thank you,” said the aide. She picked up his tray and left the room.
Addison took Nadine’s hand and wasn’t surprised to find it cold. They sat in chairs across from where Dixon was propped up against pillows, sitting the long way on the sofa as though he were royalty. Addison loved it that he’d been able to open his home to this man. He owed him so much.
“What’s on your mind?” he asked.
“Not me. Your daughter has something to tell you.”
Dixon frowned as he cut his gaze toward her sharply. “You’re not pregnant, are you?”
Her eyes widened, and her face colored. “Um, no.” She leaned forward. “Daddy, something happened where I work four years ago. I never told you because I knew you’d want to find the man, and then you might be in jail instead of him.”
Dixon’s confused expression turned dark and angry. Addison knew that look. “What man? What are you talking about?”
“I won’t say his name out loud. I haven’t said it in four years.”
“What did he do to you?”
Addison placed an arm around her shoulder, giving it a squeeze. He couldn’t imagine how difficult this was for her.
“He raped me.”
“What?” Addison’s heart went out to Dixon at the look of pain on his face. He tried to imagine having a daughter and hearing she’d been raped, but couldn’t do it.
“He’s in prison. They were able to connect him to multiple rapes above ground and below, in several cities, because I didn’t listen to his threats.”
