by S. Moose
I’m about to be sick.
Kent steps closer to me, looking around before he reaches down to grab my hand, forcing our fingers to entwine. “I miss you. Please tell me you’ll meet me tonight.”
“Move, asshole.”
Kaylee.
“Thank you,” I tell her and quickly move from his grasp and rush out of the building.
The warm air hits my face. My chest burns. Thousands of sharp knives are slicing me, cutting me wide open, and letting me bleed out on the busy streets. The pain surges, and it’s taking everything in me not to scream. Not to faint. I can’t catch my breath. The stinging in my palm makes me look at it. It’s red and sore from my nails digging into it. I’m surprised I didn’t draw blood.
I stop thinking about my palm and remember I need to get out of there. The streets are busy, so I push my way through the crowd and feel the tears burning my eyes. I still feel his fingers in mine.
The way he touched me made me feel safe and warm.
I felt loved.
The way he smelled, clean and musky, made me smile.
I need to stop and catch my breath. I have no idea how long I’ve been running. My feet are screaming for me to stop and rest. The tears I’m holding back finally release. I’m paralyzed with anger and confusion.
Raindrops land on my head, and before I have a chance to find shelter, it downpours. Hands grab my waist and I feel a hard chest. An ideal hard chest.
Not Kent.
Bryce.
I know it’s Bryce.
I let him walk me to his limo. Peter opens the door, and Bryce gently helps me climb inside. The cool leather feels like pins against my cold, wet legs.
The door closes, and I can’t bring myself to look at or say anything to Bryce. My body shuts down. All I can see is Kent and think about why he told me he still loved me. The hurt blisters over my semi-healing heart. My walls are going back up, and I don’t trust men. I don’t trust anyone.
“Madison. Baby, what’s wrong?”
I can't find the words to let Bryce know what's going on. My mind is going in circles. It feels like someone's repeatedly punching my gut and I can't move to get away. When I lift my eyes, Bryce is watching me with worry and confusion. Here's a man who wants to be with me and is showing me what it's like to feel happy, truly happy. There's no more reason to cry over Kent. What's done is done. I have Bryce now.
This will be the last time I cry over Kent. He doesn’t deserve anything of mine.
“I just need a few minutes, Bryce,” I calmly mutter.
All I need is a few minutes to gather my thoughts and then I'll tell Bryce.
The warmth flushes over my body. My eyes gradually open, and I instantly know where I am.
Bryce’s penthouse.
Slowly, I sit up and let the covers fall. I’m not wearing my dress from this morning. I’m wearing a gray tee shirt and my panties. I rub my face and lie back down. My head’s spinning from seeing Kent and meeting his wife.
“You’re up.” Bryce emerges from the bathroom and walks over to the bed. He stares at me before sitting down. “Are you okay?”
“I am now. How’d you know where I’d be?”
“I was on my way to a meeting when I saw you.”
“Oh.” That’s all I can say.
“I told Peter to stop and come here. I brought you to my room and changed you.” My cheeks warm. “I just changed you. I took the liberty to call Kaylee and let her know you’re okay and with me.”
“Did she threaten you?”
“Yes.” He laughs.
The way his face scrunches when he laughs is touching. Bryce turns his head my way so we’re facing each other. His face softens as he studies me. Neither of us speaks or moves. The look intensifies, and I feel it in the depths of my broken soul. The pure, intense look makes me burst into tears again. I don’t want him to see me cry, so I use my hands to cover my tear-streaked face. I’m sure I look like a hot mess, and my makeup is smeared all over my face.
Bryce lifts me into his arms, and we drop to the floor. He cradles me and rests his chin on my head while holding me tighter. I grip his shirt, clinging to him.
“You need to tell me who’s responsible for making you cry. I feel helpless right now, baby.”
I sigh out loud and pull away a little, so we can talk. I need to look in his eyes. The words are there. My history with Kent and the reason I’m a mess.
“I was crying earlier because I saw my ex-boyfriend. And his pregnant wife. Kent was my professor and advisor. We were together for thirteen months before he broke me. I never made the connection, and since we had to keep our relationship a secret, no one could warn me. I begged him to be with me, but he chose his wife. He told me I was fun and used for his entertainment. Since I was getting older and wanted to make our relationship public, he lost interest in me.” I find the strength deep inside me to continue. “When you saw me at the bar, I was a mess because I missed him. I wanted to forget him, forget everything, and then there you were. The way I feel for you is nothing compared to what I felt for Kent. I’m completely over him and one hundred percent with you. I just wanted you to know about my past.”
Bryce places his hands on my face, caressing my cheeks. I draw in a breath from his touch. “I’m glad you told me. You can always talk to me, Madison. I’ll never judge you.” His soft eyes calm me. “Kent is a fucked-up man,” Bryce begins to say. “He didn’t and never deserved you. You’re rare, a beautiful gem, and I promise you I’ll protect you. I’ll make you see what it’s like to feel cherished and needed. Since you were honest with me, I’ll be honest with you. I never thought I’d find love again.” He pauses, and his hand travels down my arm until our fingers are entwined.
I’m holding his hands tightly. This moment ... this connection is pulling me deeper into him. There’s no doubt with this man.
He untangles his hands from mine, and I miss his touch. His fingers trace my bottom lip, causing my body to tremble and crave for more. There’s sensuality in the way his fingers caress me. An anticipated eroticism transforming into an explosive and passionate encounter. I close my eyes tight, yearning for more under his touch. The throbbing between my thighs has me wanting to beg for more.
The corner of his mouth twitches, and I realize he knows what I’m thinking. What I’m feeling. This man can truly read people. I need to be careful.
“Spend the night with me.”
“Okay.” There’s no question or hesitation. All I want is to be with this man.
Bryce winks, and there’s a light to him. The darkness in which evaded his life seems to be disappearing. “Let’s get you something to eat.”
Chapter 21
Bryce
It’s been two days since Madison spent the night and we shared her secrets. Yesterday, we had lunch together, and when she was in the back of my limo, I showed her how she makes me feel when we’re together. My fingers made her come. The experience was unlike anything I’d had with a woman. For the first time, it wasn’t about me. All my attention and desire were for Madison and making her fall apart.
I’m in unknown territory.
This is new to me.
With Madison, I don’t care about how I feel, but rather how to make her feel. Her past haunts her, and I want to strip it away. Push Kent out of her mind. My goals with Madison are to make her fall in love with me, and for me to fall in love with her. She makes it seem easy. With her, my old self disappears because I want to be better for her.
Entering my penthouse, I check the time. Madison’s coming over tonight and will be here in thirty minutes. I can’t stop thinking about being inside her sweet cunt. Making her scream and moan my name again.
I strip out of my suit and take a quick shower. Entering my bedroom with a towel around my waist, I dress in jeans and a shirt. Simple and casual. Inside, I’m feeling like a teenager. I’m looking forward to tonight with Madison. My phone rings minutes before Madison expected arrival. I look and answer the call.
“Vincent, what is it?”
“The deal is back on the table. They’re considering our offer.”
“And?”
“With more requirements.”
“Which are?” I’m growing impatient.
Vincent tells me what’s on the table, and I walk to the bar and pour myself a glass of bourbon. He continues to apprise me of the deal and what the board members are thinking. I shoot back the drink and set the tumbler on the bar.
“Okay. Handle it, Vincent,” I bark the demand. “Handle it and update me tomorrow. We are not to accept their stipulations. It won’t work. I’m buying that company at the price I started with, and they either take it or leave it. It won’t matter to me because, soon enough, it’ll crumble. At least with my takeover, I’ll save jobs and expand. Make sure they understand that.” The door to my penthouse opens, and I quickly end the call.
“Madison Smith, Sir.”
I turn around and there she is—beautiful and flushed. Is she nervous to be here with me again? Most likely. Her outfit is elegant. The navy blue dress she has on falls slightly above her knee, showing off her long and toned legs. The heels she has on accentuates her calves. Damn. She’s a sight.
“Baby.” I smile and walk to her, taking her hand and pulling her to me. “You look beautiful.”
She blushes. “Thank you. You look quite handsome yourself.” My smile grows, and I look down to see the overnight bag in Peter’s hands. I take it from his hand and set it down, eyeing her curiously. “I figured you wanted me to spend the night. Since I’ll most likely be doing that, it makes sense to have some clothes here.”
“I like the way you think, baby. Come in. Dinner will be ready shortly.” I look to Peter, “We're all set for the evening. I'll see you in the morning.”
Peter nods and leaves the penthouse. We’re alone, and the energy between us sparks. She’s devouring me with her eyes, and it ignites my need for her.
“If you continue looking at me like that, we’ll miss dinner, and I am starving.”
“Oh,” she whispers. She can’t take the anticipation of this evening any more than I can. She’s nervous. And unsure. I love that about her. She’s buried the confidence I know she has under the worry and hurt. I’m going to tear apart those worries and replace it with the confidence waiting to shine.
I can’t help but smile.
I’ve never smiled this much, and it’s because of her.
Then she’s in my arms, and I’m breathing her in. Our lips meet, and I quickly pick her up and push her against the wall. Her long legs tighten around my waist, and I press my erection against her belly. Little moans fill the room. She tastes too damn good. Her tongue dances with mine, and it’s erotic. I normally don’t enjoy kissing like this, yet with Madison, I crave it.
Her hands are gripping my shoulders, and she’s grinding against me. She’s as desperate for this connection as I am. My determination to meet every need of hers intensifies.
I need to undress her. I need to worship her body and feel her heart beating with mine. My hands find their way under her dress and into her panties. She’s wet. Drenched and ready. I play with her clit, rubbing in circular motions, and slide two fingers into her cunt.
“Bryce,” she murmurs and digs her nails into my shoulders.
Once she comes on my hand, I slow down and pull out, putting her down and softly kissing her lips. “Jesus, Madison. I didn’t want to stop. I want you so badly, but first, I need to feed you, and then we can talk more.”
“I’m not hungry. I want you, Bryce. Now.”
The sight before me makes me harder than I’ve ever been. Madison turns around and teasingly pulls the zipper from her dress down. The dress pools on the floor, and she steps out of it. I’m staring at her lace-covered ass, and my gaze travels up to her lace bra. Involuntarily, I groan. Looks like I’ve unleashed a needy woman.
Chapter 22
Madison
Before I know what’s hit me, Bryce grabs me and tosses me over his shoulder. He rushes into his bedroom and doesn’t bother closing the door. My body hits his soft bed, and he attacks my mouth with his unstoppable tongue.
“This is going to be quick,” he says against my lips. “Then after we eat, I’m going to make sweet love to you.”
“Please,” I beg.
The sound of him taking off his jeans turns me on even more. I groan as his fingers tuck into the band of my thong and take it off. He easily lifts me into a sitting position and keeps his eyes on me while reaching behind to take my bra off. He stares at me, all of me, breathing intensely with shameless hunger scorching from his deep brown eyes.
“Before we do this, we need to establish one very important thing.”
“Okay.”
He leans in and kisses my lips, softly stroking my tongue and gently pushing me down on the bed. Bryce breaks the kiss and rips his shirt off. He’s standing naked in front of me, and I unashamedly moan. The man is gorgeous. Sexy. And impressively large. Fuck.
“You’re mine now, Madison.”
I smile. “I thought we decided that already.”
“Maybe.” He returns my smile. “Now, it’s official. You are mine, and I am yours.”
“You are mine, and I am yours,” I repeat and sit up on his bed.
“I’m keeping you forever,” he tells me and pushes me back down. My legs spread open for him, and I’m ready to have him take me. “Forever, Madison. When I say that, I mean it, and before you think that’s a line I’ve used before, I haven’t.”
His honesty warms my heart. The honesty in his eyes is raw and fierce. “Take me, Bryce. Make me yours forever.”
“Tell me you need me.”
I don’t second-guess myself or question it. “I need you.”
“No matter what, you’ll always need me the way I need you. Every inch of your body belongs to me. There’s no going back. I’m never letting you go, and I won’t let you let me go either.”
His fingers slide into my mouth, and I circle my tongue around them, watching the intensity grown in his eyes. Pulling the digits out, he traces my face with his finger and goes to the nape of my neck before traveling down between the valley of my breasts.
In his eyes, I’m sexy. I’m beautiful. I believe what he’s seeing. My body reacts to his stare, and I need him to claim me.
“I can tell you want me to fuck you now.” I don’t respond. “I thought I wanted fast and quick. Now, I don’t. I’m going to cherish your body and take my time. Trust me, it’ll be rough, and you’ll scream my name, but I’m not going to rush.”
My body aches for him, and wherever he touches me sends a vibrating throb down to my core. This man loves control. I’ll give him what he wants and submit to his every need. His finger continues its path. He’s leaving fire to spread over me and into my veins. Lowering his mouth to my neck, he gently kisses my skin, before plunging his fingers inside me once again.
“Bryce!”
“You’re addictive. I love hearing you call out my name.”
When his fingers find my G-spot again, the orgasm hits me hard and fast. My body presses against his, arching from his bed and craving more.
He laughs softly. “Your body loves me. I already know what you want and what you crave for more.”
My pulse accelerates when I see his hand grabbing his impressive length. I feel his erection at my opening, and I’m trying my hardest to relax. He’s taking his sweet time, and he knows exactly what he’s doing.
“Patience, baby.” He shoots me a sexy grin.
This is the worst kind of torture.
I’m short of breath from his pace and the anticipation of what’s to come. Our eyes are locked on one another.
“Don’t close your eyes. Keep them on me. I want to see your reaction when I slide inside you.”
“Okay,” I answer and brace myself.
Smoothly and in control, he penetrates me and quickly fills me. The pace of our breathing matches. He pulls out only
to plunge back in. I scream from the pleasure and keep my eyes on his. I don’t dare defy him.
“Baby, you feel so good. So tight. This pussy is mine and mine alone. I promise I’ll take good care of it. You’ll always orgasm at least three times when we’re together.”
Words are lost upon my lips. All I can think about is the pleasure he’s giving me. Each time with Bryce has been the best sexual experience I’ve had. He’s in control. He’s demanding, and he knows what he’s doing.
We move in perfect rhythm. He grips my hips and pulls me back to meet his hard thrusts. The feeling is mesmerizing. I’ve lost all sense of reality. In my mind, there’s only him and what he’s doing. I’m not nervous or worried. My pleasure meter is skyrocketing because he’s taking my body to a new level of pleasure. One I’ve never felt before … before him. Everything around me stands still. The only things existing in my mind are Bryce, what he’s doing to me, and the way my body is molding to his.
I’m not sure how much longer I can handle this immense pleasure. My muscles clench around him, and my stomach twists. The impending orgasm is about to erupt.
“Hold it, Madison. I need you to come with me, and I’m not ready. This feels too good.” His lips attack mine again, and I melt into his kiss. It’s invigorating. It’s mind-stopping. The kiss blocks the orgasm. He continues to drive deep and hard inside me. As our sweaty bodies move together, this passionate connection is beyond my wildest dreams.
Bryce breaks the kiss and lifts himself, propping my leg on his shoulder and thrusting harder. Deeper.
“Now, Madison. Now!”
I follow his command, and the growl of his release rolls over me. I whimper when he slowly pulls out, immediately missing him.
Then I realize …
“Bryce!” I shout and sit up, getting up, and pushing him out of the way so I can go into the bathroom and clean myself. “You didn’t use a condom,” I shout from the bathroom.
“Why would I?” His voice is loud and clear.
