“That saddens me,” she says. “I had no idea you existed in such a dark world. No idea those kinds of things were going on so close to home.”
“If you hadn’t met me, you still wouldn’t know.”
“Living in blissful ignorance is no way to live,” she says. “And I happen to be pretty fond of your grumpy ass, so I’ll take the trade-off.”
I take her wrists in my hands, rubbing my thumbs back and forth across her velvety-soft skin. “Why are you still here? Why aren’t you disgusted with me? Why aren’t you leaving?”
She rests her forehead against mine. “You told me before that you see me. Well, I see you too, Charlie, and I like what I see.” She eases back. “Unless you tell me you enjoy all the things you’ve done and seen, I’m going nowhere.”
“I’m sickened by everything I’ve done and seen, and I want to put an end to it all. Not just for me but for my friends and future generations. The elite has got to be stopped once and for all.”
“That’s what the discussion was about at the table.”
I nod. “We hoped we’d put an end to it before, but we should’ve known the elite would not go quietly. Now, they are more determined than ever. But so are we.” Resolve flows through me. “We won’t stop until their reign is ended.”
The next few weeks pass by in a blur of activity. Work is busy because I’m project-managing the new regulatory system implementation and spearheading a new workplace culture initiative. Unfortunately, it means working closely with Corrinna Smith, our chief human relations officer. Her constant flirting is a major pain in my ass, so I purposely out my relationship with Demi at the same time I announce we are terminating the no-fraternization policy.
Corrinna didn’t take kindly to it, and now, I’m persona non grata.
Win-win for me.
Demi and I have been dating up a storm, and the more I’m with her, the more I fall deeper in love. I still haven’t told her yet, or taken her to my bed, because I’m trying to rein things in. We’ve been making out like demons, and we’ve gone down on each other, a lot, but it hasn’t progressed any further, because I haven’t let it.
But I’m all out of patience, and I think Demi is too, so tonight is the night.
I light the candles resting atop the table in the kitchen just as the doorbell chimes. Butterflies swoop into my stomach as I race to the front door, eager to hold my girl in my arms.
“Hey, babe.” I reel her in flush to my body, and her bag drops to the ground, as I dip her down low and plant a slow, passionate kiss on her lips.
“Wow. That’s some greeting,” she teases when we finally come up for air.
“I missed you.” I scoop up her bag and deposit it in the hall. Closing the door, I take her hand, leading her toward the kitchen.
“You saw me at work today,” she says, beaming at me.
“That was hours ago.” I grip her hips, pushing her into the wall as we step into the kitchen. “And every second we’re apart, my heart hurts.” I press an openmouthed kiss to the underside of her jaw, delighting when she shivers.
“That was very romantic,” she pants, thrusting her chest into mine.
“I need to up the romance stakes before I unleash the beast on you later.”
Her entire body shudders underneath me, and I freeze. “If you’re not ready, we—”
She slams her mouth down on mine, biting on my lower lip, and blood rushes straight to my cock. “I’m ready, Charlie. I’m more than ready. I haven’t been laid since Christmas night, and I have the lady equivalent of blue balls.”
I grin, sucking on her lower lip. “I’m so horny for you, babe, and I can’t wait to bury myself balls deep inside you.”
Her lust-drenched eyes meet mine. “So, what are we waiting for? Take me to your bedroom.”
“What about dinner?”
“We can reheat it.”
I need no further encouragement, dashing to the stove and turning the heat off in the oven, praying the lasagna is salvageable later. I throw a paper towel over the salad and garlic bread before jogging to her side and yanking her up into my arms. “Wrap your legs around me, babe, and hold on tight.” She does as she’s told, and I sprint through the house and up the stairs, peppering kisses on her face and her neck, while she giggles and writhes against me.
By the time we reach my bedroom, I’m sweaty and my cock is about to spontaneously combust. I drop her on my bed and drag a chair across the carpeted floor, positioning it in front of my bed. “Strip for me.”
She bites on the corner of her lip, and her cheeks flush, but she doesn’t protest, kneeling up on the bed as she slowly removes her clothing until she’s only in her bra and panties.
“Come here,” I demand, and she crawls into my lap.
I tug the cups of her bra down, rolling her neat pink nipples between my thumbs and forefingers. “Have you ever worn a nipple clamp?” I ask, already guessing the answer.
She shakes her head. “No, but I’m willing to try.”
I pinch her nipples, and a guttural moan leaves her lips. “We can work up to it.” I press wet kisses along her collarbone as I continue to tease her nipples.
“Okay,” she readily agrees, her eyes flush with eagerness.
I unclasp her bra and fling it aside, kneading her firm breasts with both hands, before I dive in, laving, sucking, and nipping at her tits and her nipples until she’s squirming on my lap and there’s a damp patch on her pretty lace panties. “How would you feel about wearing a blindfold and being tied to my bed?” I ask, licking a path up through the valley of her tits.
“I’m up for that,” she rasps in a breathy tone, and my cock strains against my zipper, desperate to get inside her already. I plant my mouth on hers and kiss her deeply. When my tongue slides into her mouth, I groan at the sensations flooding my body and the feel of her tongue wrangling with mine. We devour one another as she moans and wriggles on top of me, and I can’t prolong this any longer.
Not unless I want to come in my pants for the first time in years.
“Sit on the bed with your back against the headboard.”
She does as I command while I open the top drawer of my bedside table. I rummage through the myriad of sex toys, finding a black silk blindfold and matching silk ties.
I undress quickly, loving how her eyes trace over every inch of my skin and how her tongue darts out, wetting her lips, as her gaze lingers on my erect cock. I’m hard as steel and likely to inflict damage unless I exercise self-control and force myself to take it easy.
I don’t want to hurt her.
Not ever.
And I need to restrain my natural urges so I don’t push her too far too fast. To date, she is enthusiastic and willing, and I’m hoping, in time, she’ll come to share my sexual desires. I crawl up the bed until I’m between her legs. “You trust me?”
“Completely.”
I lean down and kiss her. “I love kissing you,” I admit over her lips. “I could do it nonstop for all time.”
“I never thought I could feel so much from just a kiss,” she admits. “But I feel your kisses in every part of me. You make my body tingle all over, and I’m addicted to the feeling.”
“I’m addicted to you.” I ravish her mouth, grinding my pelvis against hers as I hold her arms up over her head. “God, Demi. You make me crazy with desire.”
With gentle slow movements, I tie her wrists to my bed, ensuring they are not too tight. Then, I slide the blindfold down over her head, positioning it carefully over her eyes. “Do they feel okay?”
“Perfect,” she says in a sultry, breathy tone of voice. “I’m so turned on, Charlie.”
“I’d like to prove that for myself,” I tell her, grabbing the edge of her panties with my teeth and pulling it down her body with the help of my hands.
I kneel in front of her, taking in every gorgeous, precious inch of her. The beast roars silently, urging me to take everything, but I draw a deep breath, quelling my baser desires as I nu
dge her legs wide and part the folds of her bare pussy with my thumbs. “You are exquisite, Demi.” I blow over her sensitive flesh, and she squirms on the bed. “Don’t move.” My fingers creep slowly up and down her thighs, brushing over her mound, but never quite touching her, until I can’t bear to torture both of us any longer, and I lick a line along her slit with my tongue.
She cries out, and the sound is like music to my ears. I destroy her pussy and her clit with my tongue, my lips, and my fingers, and I’ve never tasted anything so tempting or so deliciously sweet. She orgasms fast, and I love how responsive she is. I milk every last drop of her arousal while she’s panting and arching her back. “Charlie, please. I need you.”
I slide my finger into her damp heat and then withdraw it, placing the tip against her ass. I nudge my finger in ever so slightly, and she gasps. “Has anyone ever fucked you here?” I ask.
“No.” Her voice trembles.
“Your ass is mine.” I’m aware how possessive my tone is. “Not tonight, but soon.”
“Okay.” She sounds less sure, and I park that topic to discuss another time.
“Do I need a condom?” I ask.
“I have the implant,” she says, adding, “And I’m clean.”
I press the length of my body down on top of her, kissing her quickly. “I am too, and I’ve only ever had sex one time without a condom.”
Most of the elite men give zero fucks about contraception. The women—and men—they fuck are always tested for STDs, so they don’t care. Unwanted pregnancies are the norm and swiftly dealt with. It disgusts me, and wearing condoms is my one big fuck you to the rules. The only exception is the night I lost my virginity. That was in front of an audience, and I couldn’t refuse. But it was the last time I fucked a woman bare.
“I want to feel you on my naked flesh, Demi. I’ve never wanted to ride bareback with any other woman, but I badly want to with you.”
“I’m okay with that. Just get in me already,” she demands.
I bark out a laugh, lining my cock up at her entrance and slamming inside her in one fast move. She screams at the unexpectedness as I bend her legs back, pressing her knees into her chest. I fuck her relentlessly, pounding in and out of her like it’s a competition and I need to go faster. Her tight walls hug my cock, and it’s the most incredible feeling. I feel every inch of her heat as I thrust in and out of her, and every nerve ending on my body is on fire.
I worship her body with my hands, my lips, and my cock, and I’m drowning in everything Demi. I rip the blindfold from her face, needing to look at her as I slide in and out of her body. Her gaze locks on mine, and there’s no disguising the want and the pleasure gleaming in her brown eyes. I can’t stop kissing her gorgeous mouth, and she’s kissing me back with the same hunger, and I will never get enough.
Sex has never felt this good, and I know I’m never going to stop wanting her.
A familiar tingle zips up my spine, and my balls tighten to the point of pain. “Fuck. I need you to come, baby.”
“I’m close,” she pants as I pivot my hips in deeper.
She groans, rocking her hips up, and I move my fingers down her beautiful body. I pinch her clit hard just as my orgasm hits, and she explodes the same time I do.
I remove the binds from her wrists and pull her into my body, cradling her against me. She curls around me without hesitation, and we wrap our arms around one another, clinging to sweat-slickened skin as we continue to kiss and our hands continue to explore.
I love you.
The words float on my tongue, but I’m too afraid to say it.
Scared she doesn’t feel the same.
I know once I go there, there is no going back, and the fear of rejection has me stuffing the words back inside.
“That was amazing, Charlie.” She dusts a line of soft kisses along my chest while peering up at me, and I grin at her sex-flushed face and her tangled hair.
“You look thoroughly fucked,” I tease, kissing the tip of her nose.
Her eyes glint devilishly as she twists my nipple, and a dart of pleasure-pain ricochets through my body. My cock jerks to life, hardening almost instantly where it nudges against her stomach. She looks at me through hooded eyes, and her lips kick up at the corners. “See, that’s where you’re wrong.” She slides her hand down the gap between our bodies, palming my dick. “I’m nowhere near thoroughly fucked, so quit slacking and get on with the job.”
I flip her over on her stomach superfast, and she squeals in delight. “Now, you’ve done it,” I whisper, biting her ear. “By the time you leave here, you’ll be lucky if you can walk.” I yank her butt up in the air, part her legs, and slide home, impaling myself so deep inside her cunt it feels like I’m touching her womb.
CHAPTER 16
Demi
I glance anxiously at the clock on the wall, wondering if Charlie got delayed at the airport in Arizona because it’s not like him to be late. I pull my cell out of my purse again, but there are no new texts. The last one I got was this morning, when he confirmed he was en route to the airport with his mom and sister.
I’ve never seen Charlie lose his shit quite like he did when he found out Uncle George had a stash of kiddie porn on his home computer and he’s a regular visitor to the dark web and a regular viewer of live sex cams where kids are abused by all manner of sickos. I was almost physically ill when Charlie told me, so I understand his reaction.
He had the Barron private jet fueled and ready to depart Logan private airfield in a couple of hours. I wanted to go with him, but he asked me to stay behind, and I didn’t argue. I know his relationship with his mom is pretty much nonexistent right now, and he might have a fight on his hands to persuade her to return to Rydeville.
Looks like it was the right call, and I’m relieved they are both coming back with him. I know how much he’s missed his family, and I hope he can repair his relationship with his mother now they will all be living together again.
Of course, that will put an end to the naughty sex sessions we’ve been having in every room of that house. Since last month, when we finally gave in to our pent-up need for one another, we’ve been like rabid animals, pouncing on one another the second we’re alone.
We’re both sticking to the rules at work, but it only heightens our craving for one another outside of the office.
I owe Xena big-time, because she’s been going to my house a lot after work to mind Dad while my boyfriend fucks me senseless.
I’m not naïve. I know Charlie is holding back in the bedroom for my sake, and I get an electric thrill every time I think of all the depraved things he plans on doing to my body. He’s already pushed me out of my comfort zone, and I’m loving every minute of it.
I’ve been missing out all these years, because my past lovers didn’t reduce my body to a quivering mass in the way Charlie does. His touch does extreme things to me, and I will never get enough of his hands on me.
Fed up of pacing the living room, waiting for my boyfriend, I head into Dad’s bedroom to see if he needs anything before I head to the elite ball.
“You look absolutely breathtaking, sweetheart,” he says when I enter his room. “I hope Charlie knows how lucky he is.”
“Thanks, Dad.” I press a kiss to his clammy forehead. He started the experimental trial a couple weeks ago, and the side effects are horrendous. He’s barely able to keep anything down, and he’s plagued with stomach cramps and continuous headaches. “Can I get you anything before I leave?”
He shuffles up against the headboard, and I hate how his chest rattles and his breath wheezes out in strangled gasps. He pats the bed beside him. “Come talk to your old man for a minute.”
I sit on the edge of the bed, careful not to crease my expensive floor-length gold and green silk gown. I cannot even repeat how much Charlie paid for this. I was aghast when I saw the price tag, but he insisted on paying for it, along with matching shoes and a clutch, and he arranged for Abby and I to have a spa day today wh
ere I was pampered and preened to within an inch of my life.
I’m walking on air, living a dream with my very own Prince Charming. Albeit a dark version. I chuckle at my own thought.
Abby has been amazing too. I’ve been attending her weekly self-defense lessons. She has a private trainer who goes to her house, so I’m a regular at Chez Anderson these days. Charlie usually drives me there, and I know Abby is thrilled that Kai, Drew, and Charlie are mending bridges. We haven’t started lessons at the shooting range yet, purely because I don’t have the time, but Charlie has offered to sit with Dad on Saturday afternoons so I can go.
“How are you feeling about everything I told you last week?” Dad asks, pulling me out of my thoughts. I hate how feeble his voice sounds. How much he appears to have aged these past few weeks.
Dad finally fessed up to something Charlie has known about. I was a bit peeved Charlie didn’t tell me, but he explained it wasn’t his secret to tell, and I guess it wasn’t.
It turns out that my mom, Luana, met Charlie’s dad, Charles, one summer when she was visiting a friend in Rydeville. They fell in love and kept in regular contact after she returned home. They conducted a long-distance romance for a couple of years, and Charles tried to obtain a scholarship for Mom so she could attend Rydeville University with him, but his father intervened. Apparently, Mom wasn’t good enough for the son of a founding father, and he deliberately tried to split them up. They kept seeing each other in secret while Mom was a student at UMaine until she bumped into my father one day on campus and they fell hard and fast for one another.
According to Dad, Mom was already preparing to end her relationship with Charles because she had fallen out of love with him. But Charles was heartbroken, and he wanted someone to blame, and Dad was the obvious target.
Mom and Dad were married in less than a year, and six months after they graduated from college, Mom was pregnant with me. Dad’s mom, his last surviving parent, passed away a few months before I was born, leaving him the house we now live in. Dad said the decision to move to Rydeville was difficult, but finances were tight, and they had a baby on the way, so they did it even though it meant seeing Charles around.
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