Next to Always: Shattered Innocence Trilogy Book Two

by A. L Long

  Dylan stepped off the elevator and was met by Jessica and Lucy. It looks as though they were fixated to their computer screens, so Dylan just said a quick “Hi.”

  She was stopped abruptly when Jessica gasped, “Dylan, have you seen this?”

  Dylan walked around the reception desk to see what they were looking at. They were looking at an article from some gossip magazine regarding the recent kidnapping of Rade.

  New York City’s most eligible bachelor, Rade Matheson, was involved in what has been called a love triangle, which ended with one person dead and another missing. Sources have confirmed that Mr. Matheson was seen on several occasions with ex-girlfriend Chloe Dupree, who has mysteriously disappeared. It has been confirmed by authorities that Alex Moreno, aka David Wu, was shot and killed during the rescue of Mr. Matheson, which was headed by Hewitt Security. No comments have been made by Mr. Matheson at this time. Mr. Matheson has also been seen with a Ms. Dylan Adams, whom sources say is now Mr. Matheson’s new pastime. Investigators of the shooting are looking for any information regarding Ms. Dupree’s whereabouts.

  It hasn’t been ruled out that Ms Dupree’s sudden disappearance may be connected to Mr. Matheson’s kidnapping. A spokesperson from the NYPD stated that they are looking into every angle. They will leave no lead unturned. Their current concern is finding Ms. Dupree. When asked what they suspect, the spokesperson said that Mr. Matheson is a person of interest in the case, but no charges have been filed.

  “What the hell,” Dylan blurted. “How can they say those things?”

  Jessica and Lucy just looked at Dylan, unsure of what Dylan was expecting them to say. Dylan left the two girls speechless as she headed back to her office. Closing the door, she settled into her chair and called Rade.

  “Rade, have you seen what the tabloids are saying about you? I think they think you had something to do with Chloe’s disappearance,” Dylan spouted. “How could they think that?”

  “Yeah, I heard. There were reporters outside my building when I got to work. They are grasping at straws, Dylan,” Rade reassured her. “There’s no reason to worry. It’s just gossip, Sweetness. I think it will be best if we ate here tonight. I can make you something spectacular. I don’t want reporters ruining our evening together.”

  “Okay. Rade, if there were anything bad going on, you would tell me?” Dylan questioned.

  “Yes, Sweetness. I would never keep anything from you,” Rade confirmed.

  Dylan hung up the phone with reassurance from Rade that the stories flying around had been just that, stories. It amazed Dylan how quickly they heard about the shooting. The only statement that was given was to the police department. She couldn’t believe that the police would have leaked that information to the press without knowing all of the facts. Then there was the question as to where Chloe was. Dylan remembered Rade saying that the last thing he remembered was having dinner with Chloe at her place. He said he didn’t remember seeing her after that.

  If Dylan had to come up with her own scenario as to what happened, she would bet her savings that Chloe had something to do with the whole thing. She was willing to bet that Chloe didn’t get lucky by not being at the house and it was good timing on her part. Dylan wouldn’t be surprised if Chloe was hanging back in the shadows and watched the whole thing.

  Trying to focus on something else, Dylan booted up her computer and began working on the Spectrum buyout. The visit they made to LA turned out to be worth the trip. Dylan had compiled a lot of information from the visit that she was now ready to put in a report. She still felt confident that the purchase of Spectrum was a good move. Opening her bag, she pulled out the notes she had taken during their tour. She got lost in her work, which helped her to forget about the stories being told about Rade.

  It was close to five when Dylan finally finished her report. She printed off the information she compiled and put it in a portfolio for Keeve, Mason, and Rade to review. Stopping at Keeve’s office first, she didn’t see him, so she laid a copy of the report on his desk in front of his computer. Mason was also gone for the day, so she did the same for him. She packed Rade’s copy neatly in her bag.

  Dylan was just about to turn the corner back to her office when she saw Peter coming up the short hallway. She looked up at him and said, “Hey, I’m almost ready to go,”

  “No rush,” Peter replied.

  Dylan logged off of her computer and grabbed her bag and her purse. She was surprised when she saw Rade leaning against the door frame. She hadn’t expected him to be there, since Peter was. Looking at him she said, “I wasn’t expecting you here.”

  “Peter drove me from my office. It was the only way I could get away from the press. The windows in the Mercedes are much darker than the Martin. Besides, I missed you today,” Rade admitted.

  Dylan walked closer to him and wrapped her arms around his waist. “I missed you too.”

  Rade placed his lips on hers, giving her a tender kiss. He pulled her to his side and escorted her to the elevators, where Peter now stood. When the doors opened to the garage they were greeted by reporters.

  “Mr. Matheson, is it true you are in love with Chloe Dupree?”

  “Can you tell us about your relationship with Ms. Dupree? Was Alex Moreno part of a threesome?”

  “Did you kill Ms. Dupree because you caught Mr. Moreno and Ms. Dupree in bed together? Did you know about their affair?”

  He was fuming at the absurd questions that were being thrown at him. Grabbing a camera from one of the reporters, he ripped the film from the closed compartment and shoved it hard against the reporter’s chest. “Take your fucking camera and your fucking crew and get the fuck out of my face or I’ll have you physically removed,” Rade spat as the cluster of reporters stood back.

  Rade couldn’t believe the nerve of these parasites and the questions they were slinging at him. He had to chuckle at how stupid they really sounded. That is, until he saw the shocked look on Dylan’s face.

  “Dylan, you can’t possibly believe anything they were asking. You have to know they were just looking for a story,” Rade clarified.

  “I don’t know anything anymore. Even you don’t remember what happened between you and Chloe,” Dylan cried.

  “I may not remember everything, but I know I could never sleep with that woman,” Rade confessed. “Look at me, Sweetness.”

  Dylan lifted her tear-soaked face to Rade. She was beyond confused by what was said and what Rade just admitted.

  “Do you trust me, Sweetness?” Rade asked as he waited for her response. With a nod from her, he continued. “I would never do anything to hurt you ever again. You are my world, Sweetness. I love you more than life itself.” Rade lowered his lips to hers and softly kissed her. Pulling her closer he felt her give him what he needed. He needed confirmation that she did trust him. Their kiss deepened, taking them back to a world of love and compassion. Taking them back to the place where they felt each other heart, body, and soul.

  Peter cleared his throat as he stood next to the Mercedes. Rade and Dylan broke their embrace and smiled back at Peter, who showed embarrassment as his cheeks began to turn a bright red. Dylan giggled, “Sorry, Peter.” She never thought Peter could get embarrassed about anything.

  Rade opened the car door for Dylan and helped her into the car. Sliding in beside her, he said, “Take us home, Peter.”

  Dylan loved the sound of those words as she repeated them. “Yes, please take us home.”

  Maybe it was a good idea for Dylan to move in with Rade. She knew the love she had for him was undeniable. She also knew how she felt when she wasn’t near him. How much she missed not being with him even if it was for a couple of hours. She never felt this way about anyone.

  Rade snapped his head towards Dylan, smirking at her comment. “Are you saying what I think you’re saying?”

  “Yes, I think so. I want to be with you, Rade. I love the fact that we will be sharing the same home. I don’t care if it’s at the penthouse or my
apartment or even in a cardboard box. All I care about is being with you,” Dylan confessed, taking in Rade’s handsome features as his eyes sparkled with happiness.

  Rade could have jumped for joy at the news Dylan just laid on him. He thought for sure that the more she thought about it the more she would have decided it would be a bad idea, that it was too soon for them to make such a big step. Kissing her on the lips and every inch of her beautiful face, he sang with excitement. “We can get whatever you need tonight or we can wait until tomorrow. If you don’t like something about the penthouse, you can change it. Just let me know and I’ll have Richard get you anything you want.”

  “Rade,” Dylan began to giggle as Rade continued spreading kisses on her face.

  “What, Sweetness?” Rade panted.

  “You have to stop. I love the penthouse just the way it is,” Dylan said.

  “Don’t you want to have your own things there so that you can call it yours too?” Rade asked.

  “I do, but I’m not that attached to anything. The only thing I need is you,” Dylan breathed between kisses.

  Rade pulled Dylan to his side as they headed for the penthouse. The only thing he could think about was how wonderful it was going to be with her near him. Living together under one roof. Available at his beck and call. Having that gorgeous body next to him every night.

  Rade took hold of Dylan’s hand as they stepped off the elevator. Opening the door, he swung her around as soon as they were inside. Pinning her to the wall, he whispered in her ear, “Do you know how badly I need to take you right now?” Shrugging off his suit jacket and letting it fall to the floor, he pulled her blouse from her skirt and ripped the two sides apart, causing her pearl buttons to go flying in the air. “Rade,” she said as her hands went to the silver buckle of his Armani belt. Their desire for each other escalated as they began feverishly stripping each other of their clothing.

  Completely naked other than Dylan’s Jimmy Chou stilettos, Rade lifted her from her feet and held her tightly by the firm cheeks of her ass with one hand while cupping her breast with the other. Their mouths were glued together, filled with the need to consume each other. Rade lifted Dylan slightly by the ass, entering her with such determination that her moans of pleasure filled his ear. Pressing her harder against the wall, he took her taut nipple between his fingers and began squeezing the hard peak until his name escaped her luscious lips. “I want you to submit to me, Sweetness. You are mine,” Rade declared. “I want to hear you say it,”

  “I’m yours, Rade, only yours,” Dylan said between pants.

  Their bodies were born to be together. Nothing could ever tear them apart. They were one with each other as Rade pushed deeper and deeper inside her. Dylan’s hand fisted Rade’s hair, grasping harder as he increased his movements. She could feel her channel stretch more and more with each thrust of Rade’s thick, hard cock. Dylan was about to explode when Rade pulled out from her and placed her on the floor. She was about to protest about the emptiness she was feeling when he turned her so that she was facing the wall. Grabbing her hands, he pulled them above her head, holding them in place with only one of his strong hands. Guiding his cock into place, he began fucking her from behind. With his free hand, he placed his fingers along her slick pussy, taking her juices to lubricate his finger. Gently, he circled her tight hole, carefully dipping his index finger inside. Inch by inch he pushed his finger inside her anus. He loved the way his cock felt inside her when he penetrated her ass with only his finger. Her vagina became tighter as the invasion in her ass occupied what little space his cock had.

  Dylan exploded with ecstasy as she screamed his name. Rade once again pulled free from her channel and turned her to face him. He took her mouth with his and plunged his tongue inside her warmth. Their tongues mingled and sucked as Rade lifted her body once again, pushing his painfully hard cock inside her. This time he didn’t hold back. He pushed inside with no mercy. Dylan broke their kiss and screamed his name once again. Her orgasm hit her with such force that her mouth fell to his shoulder and clamped down on the masculine flesh, causing Rade to groan in pure ecstasy has he was met with his own release.

  They both stayed that way for a moment, Rade holding tight to her body as the last of his seed spilled into her tight channel. Dylan couldn’t move. Her body was spent. Never had she experienced multiple orgasms with such fury. Holding Rade back in a tight in a bear hug, she laid her head on his shoulder. If she had her way she could have fallen asleep in his arms just like this. She felt loved, she felt protected. She was his.

  CHAPTER TWENTY-NINE

  Rade carried Dylan to the bathroom and placed her gently on the vanity as he filled the jetted tub full of water. Once the water was at the desired height, he picked her up and lowered her gently into the steaming water. Rade heard Dylan’s soft moans of delight. Getting in behind her, he pulled her body close to his. This, right now, was something he would make sure they shared every night, or least every other night. This was pure heaven.

  Dylan was taking it all in as Rade took care of her. The warmth of his touch had her insides turning once again as he took the bath sponge with the scented vanilla and cherry body wash across her body. Every sensual touch made her body tingle with delight. The touch of the sponge to her breasts caused her sex to pulsate. Then the touch to her sex made her breasts ache for more stimulation. She took in everything that he was giving her, and when he lifted her from the water and turned her with ease, her body took everything as he gently entered her.

  Rade knew that he needed to treat Dylan with the love he now possessed for her. He had taken her roughly in the entryway. He wanted to worship her body with the slow, soft affection that she deserved. Slowly, but eagerly, he lifted her onto him, moving her in smooth, intricate movements up and down his engorged cock. He was about ready to ignite, but he needed to hold off. He wanted her pleasure above his own. He slowed his rhythm while taking in her beauty. Her head was arched backwards as she took in everything he was giving her. Capturing her nipple with his mouth, he softly sucked it, lapping his tongue in circles around the hard peak. Switching to the other side, he gave her other nipple the same attention, all the while caressing and tweaking the one just abandoned. Rade knew she was close. Her moans began radiating louder as they echoed off of the bathroom walls. Her back was perfectly arched, giving him better access to her pert breasts that were now pushed closer to him.

  Dylan needed more as she moaned, “Rade, please, take me harder,”

  He didn’t want to hurt her. He knew that she would be sore after the uncontrollable display of animal hunger he placed on her. Only she could make his desire so addictive, more than a druggie needing his next fix or an alcoholic needing his next drink. Increasing his movements, he slammed into Dylan harder. Not so hard that he hurt her, but just enough to give her what she craved. When he felt her walls tighten around his painful erection he knew she had reached the point of no return. Her vagina squeezed him so tightly that his own release took over.

  Rade pushed himself from the warm water and grabbed two towels from the warmer, one for himself and one for Dylan. Wrapping one around his waist, he walked to the tub and took Dylan by the hand to help her out. He enveloped her in the soft warmth of the towel and pulled her close to him as he rubbed the wetness from her body. Lifting her chin, he gently kissed her on the lips and whispered, “Finish drying. I’m going to start on that dinner I promised you,”

  Dylan watched as Rade exited the bathroom. Seeing his backside, she quickly tugged at his towel revealing his muscled gluts. Rade turned and smiled at her without a word as he went into the bedroom closet to grab a pair of sweat bottoms. Dylan was right behind him surveying his muscular form as it came to life with each muscle in his body flexing with every tug of his bottoms inching up his legs. God, he was gorgeous. Turning on her heels, Dylan walked back to the bathroom with the biggest grin and finished drying herself.

  Rade had already started dinner when Dylan appeared in the
kitchen. Her hair was pulled up into a messy bun and the only article of clothing she wore was Rade’s plush robe, which she snatched from behind the bathroom door. Taking her place, she pulled up a barstool and watched as Rade prepared their meal. She was amazed at how quick he was at chopping the vegetables he had in front of him. Every cut of the knife blade was so precise. Dylan watched in amazement as he scooped up the vegetables and deposited them into a deep frying pan that was already heating on the stove. With his back to her, she asked, “Can I help you with anything?”

  Rade looked over his shoulder at her with a smile. “You can pour us a glass of wine and then sit back and relax while I show you my culinary skills.” Rade smiled as he took hold of the pan and flipped the vegetables in a back and forth movement, which caused the vegetables to roll on the side of the pan and come back, landing inside the pan.

  The things he did with that frying pan made Dylan think about how good he was with his hands when they were on her. Standing behind him, Dylan asked, “Red or white?”

  Rade looked over to her. “I think I’m in the mood for red tonight.”

  Dylan grabbed a Merlot and held it up for his approval. When Rade nodded his acceptance to her choice, she opened the bottle and poured them each a glass. Dylan set Rade’s glass on the counter where he was standing. Just as she was getting ready to take her seat back barstool, he grabbed her arm and pulled her in for a sweet kiss.

  Rade finished preparing their meal and brought it over to the dining room table, which he had already set with two place settings. The meal he skillfully prepared was out of this world. Dylan thought her stir-fry was the best, but after tasting his, she had to admit it there was no comparison. Rade had poured them each another glass of wine as Dylan continued to enjoy the meal he made for them. She didn’t realize how hungry she was until she started eating. She devoured everything on her plate, not wanting to waste one single orgasmic bite. By the time she had consumed the last of her meal, she was beyond full. Leaning back, she threw her hands in the air.