Mr. Control

by Maya Hughes

  If I was kicked off the board, the money would dry up. I was afforded certain perks for my charity work, like my apartment, travel, hell even some of my clothes. Living the life of a billionaire, even a frugal one, came with certain expectations. Managing the expectations the world has of someone who has a trust fund as big as mine, as well as ensuring safety and security for Esme, meant my financial situation was carefully calculated. But Kill’s interference could completely ruin all the plans I’d made. On my thirty-fifth birthday, which was only a couple of months away, the complete estate would be transferred to me without the strings. I’d finally be in complete control of my own life. But, if I didn’t maintain those board positions, I got nothing.

  “Thank you for warning me, Thomas. There’s nothing Killian could reveal about me to create a scandal. I hope the board elections will be held without unsubstantiated rumors influencing anyone.” My stomach dropped as I thought of the one secret I’d kept and would take to my grave. I lived my life in public, scrutinized and analyzed. I didn’t want that for Esme. But if this got out, she’d never be able to escape what would rain down on us both.

  “I’ll be sure to tell them not to buy into whatever Killian is selling. I can’t even believe he showed his face here today, wrangled a last-minute invitation,” Thomas said, excusing myself. He was here? Tonight, was supposed to be a reprieve. A break from everything that went wrong in my life to focus on one of the things going right. Mel. I needed to get my hands on her.

  Rubbing my fingers along the small of her back was a little game I played with her and myself. Each stroke, each caress a promise of what was to come later this evening. I wouldn’t let the news Thomas delivered ruin my night, ruin the plans I had for her. Every phone call, meeting and trip I’d had to take recently put me further and further away from her and I didn’t like it. Especially not after the taste I’d had of her already. But I could be patient.

  I flung open the doors to the balcony and the scene unfolding in front of me made my blood boil. It took me a moment even to register who that was near Mel. Once I saw it was Kill, the man causing every nightmare going on in my life right now, I couldn’t wait to get my hands on him. I stormed over to Melanie and Killian. He held her chin in his hand. His lips inches from hers. She wasn’t his to touch. She wasn’t even his to think about. She was no one’s but mine.

  I jerked him back by the shoulder and his eyes went wide as I let loose on him. The satisfying crunch of my fist connecting with his jaw echoed around the balcony, filling the winter air with the sound of my rage. My breath came out in heavy pants as I grabbed Melanie by the arm and swung her behind me. Kill stumbled back, toppling over, wiping the blood off his lip.

  “And there’s that Thayer control I’ve heard so much about. I knew you couldn’t have changed that much since school. Nice of you to join the party, Rhys. I was having such a lovely conversation with Mel,” he said, sitting up on the ground and spitting a mouthful of blood onto the granite. And then he did the one thing that made me want to wrap my hands around his throat. He smirked at me, his teeth a bloody mess. I wished I’d knocked a few out. I must be losing my touch. I stepped toward him and Melanie held me back. She grabbed my arm as I pulled it back, ready to deliver another set of blows.

  “Rhys, don’t,” she said, holding onto my arm. She gestured with her chin toward the doors to the balcony. Other people from the gala stood at the doors, watching our display out here. Cage it. Push it down. Breathe. My normal mantra wasn’t working.

  “I’ll be sure to let you know how those donations you’ve so generously made are spent once I have your seats,” Killian said, dusting himself off and standing to face me. I lunged for him again, but Melanie held tight to my arm.

  I glared at her over my shoulder. What the hell was she out here talking to him about? I’d deal with him first and then we’d be having a long conversation, which may or may not end with me fucking her so hard that she never thought of speaking to another man again. I glanced down at her and saw what was wrapped around her.

  “Are you wearing his fucking jacket?” I seethed. Her eyes widened and she quickly threw it to the ground like a poisoned snake, wrapping her arms around herself. “Don’t you come near her again. Do you hear me?” I roared at Killian. My control was gone. I grabbed her arm and stormed back into the gala. I didn’t care who wanted to talk to me, I didn’t have time for fake smiles and glad-handing. I called for Derek to bring the car around, as I hastily retrieved Mel’s wrap and rushed her out the door.

  The car pulled up in front of the museum. I guarded Mel’s head as I helped her into the car. I tried to calm myself the best I could. The mask was almost gone now. She’d peeled it back and cracked it wide open by speaking to Killian out on that balcony alone. And now that I’d shown my true colors, she’d be sure to run. With that thought, I wanted Derek to turn the car around, so I could deliver another round of punishment to Killian.

  If he’d screwed up what simmered between Mel and me, I wouldn’t be able to keep myself from killing him. Nothing for me. Never anything for me. Everything was for everyone else. My money, my reputation, my work, even my daughter. Mel was meant to be the one thing just for me and now even that was in jeopardy. I was tired of waiting. Tired of keeping the reigns on tight. I had one goal. Exploring her body, spreading her out in front of me and finally being able to feast on her.

  20

  MEL

  I have no idea what just happened. One minute I’m out on the balcony talking to some guy who obviously had a history with Rhys and the next, he’s dragging me out of the gala, fuming. Did he think I wanted to be out there with Killian? Couldn’t he see the relief on my face when he got there? Probably not since he was in blind-rage mode. I hadn’t seen him like that before in public. He’d never let the dark side of himself out when other people were around. He’d saved that for me, in private heated moments where he made me forget how to speak and breathe.

  “What were you talking to him about, Melanie?” he growled, his hand gripping my knee.

  “Nothing. I was out there on the balcony. Then I got cold. As I was going back in, he came out and asked me to stay. To keep him company. He offered me his jacket and we had barely finished introductions when you came out.” It was no use letting him know everything Killian said to me. With the way Rhys acted, he’d have Derek turning the car around so he could have another go at him.

  “I didn’t know who he was, and I didn’t want to embarrass you by blowing off someone you might have business with. I’m not a liar, Rhys,” I said. His suspicions agitated me. That he thought I was out there doing something wrong made me want to show him how wrong he was. Teach him a lesson about doubting me. But with his next words everything outside of the car ceased to exist.

  “I will never do business with Killian Thorne and the only blowing you’ll be doing is of me,” he said, his grip tightening on my knee. His fingers made small circles on my skin. They traveled higher up my thighs as he gathered my dress and pushed it up higher. The look in his eyes dared me to stop him. Dared me to use the words, but I was at a loss. It was like the air had been sucked out of the car. The only things I could feel were his fingers and I squeezed my thighs together.

  His warm hands slid between my knees, running the length of my thighs. Tingling pleasure flowed over me and my breath caught in my chest. He kept his eyes trained on me while his hands roamed. He got closer and closer to my panties. Each stroke up and down my legs, increasing the desire I had for him to move a little higher. The adrenaline from the end of our evening was still high and I was thrumming with energy. His fingers grazed my panties, drawing a gasp from me in anticipation of what was to come.

  I didn’t know exactly what he had in mind, but I knew I wanted it. The raw power from his fight with Killian still flowed through him. He was practically vibrating, though his hands were firm and measured along my skin. These past few weeks, every glance, every brush had set a simmer I thought I could ignore, but here
in the car with him I couldn’t ignore it any longer.

  He tilted my head and ran his fingers along my neck.

  “What were you talking about, Melanie?”

  “I told you. Nothing,” I breathed out, as his lips gently ran across my neck. His lips making of hyper-aware of every inch of flesh between my shoulder and my ear. This wasn’t the sort of reaction I had expected when we left the gala. He’d been so angry, but this wasn’t what I was used to when a man was angry. This was scary, not in a way that made me want to run and hide, but in a way that made me fear what things would be like after he was done with me. What I’d be like after he was done with me.

  “Killian doesn’t partake in idle conversation, Melanie. Everything he does has a purpose,” he said, his hands running higher again, just skimming my panties. The red flush from my cheeks burned all over as he sunk his fingers in, rubbing against the crotch of my panties. I knew they were soaked through. I could feel it.

  “I told you exactly what we talked about. I think he was trying to figure out why I was there. I’m sure I looked out of place,” I said, my voice quivering as his hand dipped inside the thin elastic band of my panties. His lips trailed along my jaw and just a hairsbreadth away from my lips. I turned to him and his eyes burned into mine. I was lost, spiraling out of control as his fingers grazed my clit. I jumped and gasped as he massaged me, strumming my clit. My legs parted giving him easier access, but I maintained eye contact. It was what he wanted, what he needed and who was I to deny him?

  “You are never to speak to him again, Melanie. Do you understand? He’s not someone I want you entangled with, and I don’t want you to get hurt.” I bit back my retort that he was someone I probably should have stayed away from, but with his fingers parting my lips the words died in my throat. Then he threaded his hand through my hair. And his lips were so close to mine. His ever-present minty scent filled my nose along with the smell of my own arousal as his fingers continued their ministrations. My breath came out in small gasps. His full pink lips were so close to mine. This almost felt more personal than what went on under my dress, inside my panties.

  He tightened his grip in my hair, the roots screaming for relief, but not me. I relished the edge of pain, better to keep me in the moment, not get lost and forget a single detail. And then his lips weren’t just close, they were on mine, crushing my lips in a punishing kiss that was more like a marauding conqueror than the sweet and gentle kisses that people seeing him on TV might imagine he gave.

  The heat in the car was almost unbearable on this cold winter’s night. The windows steamed from the intense heat. Rhys pulled back from our kiss, his lips lingering on mine. I panted, eyes wide at what had just happened. My lips ached and his were twisted up in a satisfied smirk. He kept his hand in my hair, more gentle now, running his thumb along my cheek. My thighs trembled as his fingers continued their slow torment that made me shudder in anticipation of him possessing me, like he’d just done with my mouth.

  “I didn’t get my answer, Melanie. Do. You. Understand?” he asked, punctuating each word with a tap of his finger against my clit, making me jump each time.

  “I wasn’t doing anything. And where do you get off telling me who I can speak to? There was nothing going on out there other than me trying to be polite to someone at an event you brought me to.” I might be someone under his control right now, unable to break away from the gravitational pull he had on me, but I wasn’t going to let him rule my life. He couldn’t tell me who I was allowed to talk to. That wasn’t going to happen. Plus, I liked the little game we were playing.

  “Don’t make me repeat myself,” he ordered, pulling back and tracing the seam of my pussy. I shuddered and a small moan caught in my throat. He was my weakness. I thought I’d had more than one over the years, but those paled in comparison to him. I wanted to rage against him, punch him in the mouth and tell him to fuck off, but I couldn’t. I couldn’t stop myself around him. He was too much for me to resist and I hated him for that. For allowing me to give over so much of myself to him.

  “You will not speak to him again,” he commanded, nipping my neck. I closed my eyes and rested my cheek against his head, all while his fingers stroked my clit before plunging inside me. I cried out then and gripped the seat beneath me. Suddenly, the slow build was completely out of control and I couldn’t contain it any more. My orgasm ripped through me, shooting through my clit, racing up my spine and catching me off guard. Every part of me tingled, from the roots of my hair to the tips of my toes. I felt my pussy squeezing his fingers, not wanting him to let go. He gave me a few last pumps of his fingers, sliding in and out of my slickness as I shuddered, closing my eyes and moaning. He slid his hand out of my panties and brought his fingers to his lips. He sucked them into his mouth and another shudder coursed through me at the sight.

  “Delicious,” he said, closing his eyes and tilting his head back. When he opened his eyes, I knew I’d do anything for him in that moment. I wanted to return the favor. Needed to return the favor and I sunk to my knees in front of him. Why was I doing this? He was insane. I was insane. I didn’t care that he bossed me around, trying to control me, hell that was probably what got me so hot in the first place. I’d never been one to give my power over to someone else, to let them lead, but with Rhys, he made it easy. He made it so easy that I was drunk on the freedom of not having to think for a little while, even if I knew it would come back and bite me in the ass. Maybe with him, it would be a literal bite.

  “No,” he said, pulling me from my knees and up to his side, his arm around my waist. “We’re home.”

  I glanced up and realized the car wasn’t moving. Derek stood outside ready to open the door. Oh my God. I’d completely lost my mind, not even aware of what went on outside of the car. Outside of the little world we had created. I hastily shoved my dress down over my knees and tried to compose myself. I’m sure I looked exactly like I felt, like a woman pushed to her sexual edge by a man who could make a woman faint with just a smile.

  Rhys hurried me into the elevator and up to the apartment, my heels in his hand. His fingers once again gravitating to the small of my back, as he led me into the foyer. His heated stare skimmed across my body. He pressed his body against mine and our lips were once again inches from one another when a scream and cry ripped through the air.

  Esme came barreling down the hallway, Rachel hot on her heels. We immediately broke apart and crouched down as Esme launched herself into our arms.

  “I’m so sorry,” Rachel said, pushing her glasses back up her nose, wringing her hands.

  “It’s okay, Rachel. Don’t worry. We’ve got it from here. What happened?” Rhys asked, glancing over at me. The simmer was still there, but the worry for Esme pushed that to the back burner—for now.

  “I don’t know. She was asleep. She went down really easily. Are you sure I can’t help?”

  “No, it’s fine. We’ve got it,” I said, rubbing Esme’s back.

  “What’s wrong, sweetheart?” Esme’s little arms tightened around both our necks and she shook her head. Rhys untangled them from my neck and picked her up, cradling her against his chest. “It’s okay. I’m here. We’re here,” he soothed. Rachel hesitated before grabbing her bag and heading out.

  “Esme, tell us what’s wrong. We can’t help, if you don’t tell us,” I said, as we walked down the hall, Rhys carrying her in his arms, and eventually laying her back in her bed.

  “I had a bad dream about mommy,” Esme said, her face shining with tears. Rhys’s back straightened and he froze with Esme’s hand gripped in his. The whoosh of the air leaving the room was palpable. Esme might have spoken to me, but she never talked about her mom. Never. I’d begun to wonder about her, but didn’t want to pry and definitely didn’t want to ask Rhys about it. The little searching I’d done online said she had an accident involving sleeping pills and died tragically. That was the extent of what I’d been able to find.

  “Maybe I should go,” I said, unsu
re which would make things worse, me staying or going. I stood and Rhys wrapped his hand around my wrist and shook his head.

  “Stay,” Rhys said, at the same time, Esme shouted, “No!” Well, I guess that settled that. I sat on the bed and grabbed her other hand.

  “I had a dream about the bad man coming to take me,” Esme whispered in little shuddering breaths. She squeezed my hand tighter. Something got to her and sent her into a panic. I looked to Rhys, who had his eyes closed, face tilted up toward the ceiling.

  “Esme, the bad man is never coming for you. Never. I will protect you forever. You know that, don’t you? I’ll never let anyone hurt you.” Rhys said so fiercely it raised goosebumps on my arms. Something had happened. Something had happened before, maybe what led Esme to stop talking. He held her face in his hands and kissed her forehead. Esme nodded, gripping onto our hands until her breathing settled and she yawned.

  Once she was asleep, Rhys tucked her hands under the blanket and left the room. I stood in the doorway looking after him, unsure if I should follow or not. I didn’t know what happened to Esme tonight. I was overwhelmed with the desire to protect her sweet little heart. I just wish I had someone to protect mine.

  I cautiously walked the path to Rhys’s office, hoping we’d be able to talk about what happened with Esme and what happened back at the gala. My toes sunk into the carpet, each step like my legs were being weighted down with more lead.

  I knocked on the cracked office door and peeked my head in. Rhys stood in front of the large windows, gazing out over the city, a tumbler in his hand.

  “Rhys,” I said.

  “Mel,” he replied, his back still to me.

  “Do you want to talk about it, about what just happened with Esme? With us? Any of it?”

  “No, I don’t,” he said, turning and setting the glass down on his desk. He looked up at me, his eyes radiating the pain behind them. I wanted to wrap my arms around him. “I don’t want to talk about it because it’s something I can’t fix. It’s something I’ll never be able to fix.”