Power Play

by Landish, Lauren

  “And the animal shelter?” he asks, refocusing my thoughts on my story.

  “It just kind of happened. We took in a box of puppies that someone abandoned on the street next to the garbage cans. We lived off generic Beanie Weenies for a month to pay for those pups’ dog food, but in the end, we were able to give each of them a good home. It was such a good feeling, so we just kept on.”

  “Your turn,” I tell him, needing a break from share time. “Tell me about you . . . little Scotty with a nanny reading Dr. Seuss. Where were your parents? Although I think we’ve established your dad seems like a son of a bitch.”

  Scott blinks, then laughs. “You’re not the first person to call Robert Danger a son of a bitch. For Dad, life is all about what you can do for him.”

  “What do you mean?”

  Scott shrugs. “He doesn’t like to talk about it, but he didn’t earn our family money himself. The seed of it was my grandfather, who got lucky when some family land turned out to have a very rich copper vein underneath it. Until then, it’d been unincorporated wasteland. He couldn’t even rent out the grazing rights as it was too far from any farms. But that mine gave my grandfather about ten million dollars. A lot now, even a lot more then, and my grandfather invested it wisely.”

  “I don’t get it. Why would your father be upset about that?”

  Scott sighs. “The short of it? My dad’s a prideful man and wants everyone to know he’s the powerhouse behind the Danger Enterprises name, not that he’s the lucky punk who just inherited the golden goose. Or at least that’s my theory on why he’s an unhappy, as you called him, son of a bitch.”

  “So he’s competitive? And he wants to make sure his children are the same?” I ask, and Scott nods.

  “Yeah, but it’s more than that. He’s leaving this legacy behind in the company and wants us to be fierce and fight for it to prove that only the strongest can hold the crown because it reflects on his strength. He thinks we’re some nascent royal dynasty and he’s the first king. It’s just the way it’s always been, and I guess I never really questioned it.”

  Scott looks at me for a moment, his eyes probing. “What?”

  “Just . . . your Aunt May sounds like a remarkable person. You had it rough, but I think I’d have switched places with you,” Scott says. If anyone else had said it, especially someone as wealthy as him, I’d have thought they were being condescending, but I can hear the truth to his words, and my heart breaks for the little boy who wanted his dad’s attention, affection, and approval. Honestly, I think that little boy is still alive and hungry inside adult Scott.

  Our dinners arrive, and conversation pauses as we enjoy the first few bites of our food. The lamb is amazing, and my eyes nearly water as the rich flavors overwhelm my taste buds. This is the taste of wealth . . . complex and multi-faceted, with a perfect balance that makes each bite an experience. But the realization makes me understand something else.

  Scott, for all his attempts at understanding me, has never experienced the pleasure of a macaroni and cheese with hamburger casserole dinner with someone you love who loves you back. He’s never had a simple relationship where no one was scheming, merely enjoying a meal together.

  People might think that I, the abandoned little girl, would be the inspiration behind May’s rescue. But I think Scott would be the better metaphor for that original box of puppies . . . lost in a hard world from the start and wanting a soft place to lay his head but too afraid to risk putting his neck out for fear of getting beaten down.

  It makes me angry at his dad. Hell, my mom was nearly a total loss as a human being, but she at least put me somewhere she knew I’d be okay. Scott’s dad actively tries to destroy him. He’s a monster, but what does that say for his children, his creations?

  Scott savors his steak and sets his fork down after two bites. “You’re right. My siblings and I are very competitive . . . but I don’t hate them. I love them in some weird way, but after all these years, my father has succeeded. He’s pitted us against each other, especially Chase and me, for so long and in so many ways that we don’t know how to be different. We just butt heads and bare our teeth at one another. And Olivia just watches and does her own thing. They’re my competition as well as my blood. And blood isn’t going to stop me from taking what I know should be mine.”

  His words, so passionately delivered, both turn me on and worry me. He craves power, virtually vibrates with it already, and it’s an aphrodisiac. My body yearns to feel it, to feel the intensity of his thrall when he focuses it on me. But I know the dark side of power. And as much as I want to submit and see where Scott leads, I’m scared of the consequences. He’s a lost boy in a man’s body. But I’m sure as fuck no fairy destined to show him the way out of Neverland.

  “You know, not everything in life is a competition,” I say, already knowing his answer.

  “Not so sure about that,” Scott admits with a small laugh. “Maybe the rules change or a different game is played, but it’s still a competition.”

  “What about a couple?” I ask. His answer is important, and I can already feel the weight of it in my chest. It’s a test, an important one.

  Scott sets his fork down, looking at me carefully. “Then it’s a partnership. Two against the world, working together as one. But still a competition.”

  I hold my posture, even though my spirit sags. “But a competition means there’s a winner and a loser. Why set yourself up that way? To possibly lose?”

  “I don’t lose,” Scott insists, his voice hard.

  I try again. “Can you at least concede that your way of thinking is warped, shaped by your experiences? Just like everyone’s, mine included. And that maybe, just maybe, life doesn’t have to be ‘you versus them,’ an adversarial match for a win or loss? That there might be a balance where it’s simply good for everyone?”

  Scott smiles at me, fire in his eyes, and I can feel that he disagrees. I’m shocked when he finally replies, “And that, my dear, is one of the things that makes you so fucking irresistible. You are . . . good. Down to your core, good. And the mere fact that you can see anything redeeming in me is, quite honestly, a miracle. I want to bask in you, let your light into my soul. But be warned, it’s a dark and dirty place inside me, and as much as you try to make me good, I’ll more likely turn you bad. So bad.”

  His words had started sweet, complimentary, and had made me smile. But as his words heat, the smile slips from my lips and I gasp. “I want that. To brighten your days, your spirit, and to be dirty with you. Maybe that’s the balance where it’s good for everyone.”

  Scott smiles at me. “Madison, make no mistake. The only winner in that scenario is me.”

  Chapter 13

  Scott

  Daily Horoscope, October 2nd

  Scorpio - Passion can inspire. Passion can create. Passion can destroy. Yours could do all three.

  I lead Madison off the elevator and into my penthouse. She’s spent most of the evening alternating between relaxing and looking shocked as she takes in the experience. And admittedly, some of the conversation has been eye-opening for me too. Both about her past and about my family. Things I’ve never thought, much less said, seem to click together into a perfectly obvious picture with her.

  But now, it’s me who’s a little unsure. I’m not trying to impress her with my money per se, but I am trying to show her that there’s more to life than what she’s had.

  And this space . . . I rarely bring people up here. This penthouse is my inner sanctum, and even my own family members are rarely up here.

  “Wow,” Madison says when I flip on the lights, looking around the large open-concept room. “Looks like a mansion in itself.”

  I chuckle, shrugging off my suit jacket and looking over at Madison. From the first moment I saw her this evening, I’ve had a hard time keeping my eyes off her. The dress may not be her typical style, but she wears it well and looks absolutely stunning. Her breasts press together and up, the line of cleavage t
empting me to lick her, to see if her skin is as satiny as the dress fabric. “It does give me a good place to crash,” I say carelessly.

  “Crash?” Madison asks, looking at the television on my wall. “I’ve seen movie theaters with smaller screens than this.”

  She goes around the main space of the penthouse, oohing and ahhing over things.

  “What’s this?” she asks as she toes a box near my exercise corner. “Looks like something you’d trip over.”

  “Attachment for my workouts,” I explain. “It just sort of works like a big rubber band. Come on, let me show you the best view.”

  I lead Madison over to my western wall, which goes straight up for two stories in nothing but glass. “Above us is the floor where I have my bedroom and bath, but . . . Alexa, blinds.”

  I don’t actually have blinds in my windows, but instead, there’s an electronically controlled layer in the window that can act like sunshades, going from totally clear to opaque at my command.

  The windows clear, and Madison gasps as she sees Bane before her. “You can see most of the city from here!”

  “Well, the western half,” I agree, looking out. In the middle of my view is, of course, the Danger Building, spearing the heavens. But the rest of the city spreads out around it on all sides.

  “It’s gorgeous,” Madison whispers, her breath catching as the moon comes out from behind some clouds and illuminates the city even more. “I never thought this city could be so beautiful.”

  “Amazing, isn’t it?” I ask, my eyes on Madison.

  Madison looks at me, a blush pinkening her cheeks as she realizes I’m talking about her, not the cityscape.

  “What else would you like to see?” My voice is husky, need deepening it.

  “You said your bedroom is upstairs?” she asks, and I nod.

  I reach out, wrapping my arms around her waist and pulling her tight against my body. Madison arches her back as my lips find the silky curve of her neck, and I suck, nibbling and tasting her skin as she reaches back, running a hand through my hair and holding me in place against her. I reach up, finding the zipper on her dress and tugging it down, letting it fall to the floor. “I’m going to make you scream my name as you come.”

  “Fuck, yes,” Madison gasps as her softly tanned skin is exposed to the soft moonlight and my exploring hands. Her dress had a built-in bra, so there’s nothing to remove as I cup the soft weight of her tits, rolling her nipples between my fingers as I nibble on her ear. Pressing her against the glass, I let her feel the hard length of my cock against her ass.

  “You’re a naughty girl. A T-back? It’s like you were hoping to get fucked tonight.”

  “I am,” Madison groans, planting her hands on the glass and pressing her ass against me. “I’ve been thinking of this moment for days.”

  “Me too,” I growl, stepping back. “Which is why I need that sassy, smart mouth wrapped around my cock, tasting me like you wanted to last time.”

  Madison obeys, turning and dropping to her knees in the puddled satin of her dress as I undo my pants and take out my cock. She licks her lips as I come into view and looks up at me.

  I growl, reaching down and grabbing a handful of her beautiful hair, its softness spilling over my fist. “Now open up and get me wet while you rub that sweet little pussy for me.”

  Before Madison can reply, I slide my cock deep into her mouth before holding it there, letting her have a moment to adjust before pumping in and out slowly. She swallows eagerly, slurping and sucking as her eyes flutter closed, her breasts shaking with each stroke.

  “That’s it,” I moan, watching her take me. “You look so fucking sexy with my dick in your mouth.”

  Madison hums around my cock, the sensation shooting to my balls, and I fuck her mouth faster, watching as she slips a hand inside her panties to rub her pussy in time with my thrusts. It’s sexy as fuck, and I look down at her, trembling with need. “Are you wet, Madison? Is your pussy dripping with your cream for me? Tell me . . . no, show me.”

  “Mmm-hmm,” Madison groans desperately, slipping her fingers out to show me her glistening juices along her fingers. I bend down, sucking her fingers into my mouth, coating my tongue with her taste.

  I let her fingers go with a pop, “Back they go. Rub that pussy. But don’t come, not yet. Edge yourself while you suck me.”

  Her fingers disappear into her panties again, her pace speeding up as she gets closer to her orgasm. I keep going, watching her red lips rise and fall on my cock while her tongue does amazing things inside her mouth, setting my nerves on fire until I can’t take any more. I pull Madison to her feet, pushing her against the window to look out on the city.

  “Scott, I—” she says, but before she can finish, I tug her thong to the side and bury my cock balls-deep in her pussy from behind. My hips smack into her ass, making her cry out as I bottom out on the first stroke. “Fuck!” Her curse is more breath than sound.

  “Fuck, Maddie. I love the way it feels deep inside your pussy.”

  She moans, her body pressed against the glass so that her tits are squished flat while I hammer into her. The glass is clear, but I don’t care. I just want to feel her come around my cock, and the idea that someone might actually see me fucking this amazing vixen fills me with even more energy. “Oh, fuck, I’m gonna—”

  “Not yet,” I order, smacking her ass hard. I speed up, using my grip on her hips as leverage. My cock throbs as she squeezes me, making each retreat feel like her pussy is trying to hold me hostage, choking me into staying deep inside her.

  Madison moans, pushing back against my window to meet my thrusts, fucking herself on my cock. She’s close. I can feel the quivers of her pussy walls as she rides the edge, waiting for me. “I . . . fuck, Scott. I can’t . . .”

  “That’s a good girl,” I growl, grinding my cock deep inside her. “Wait. With me, Madison. Come now.”

  I don’t hold back. There’s no need as I give her everything I have. My cock is on fire, my entire body vibrating. With a powerful roar, I pull back and thrust one more time, coming hard inside her tight pussy, filling her with rope after rope of my seed. Dimly, I can hear her wail, clamping tight around my cock as she orgasms too, and the tightness triggers another gush from my cock.

  My legs are trembling, and I lean against her, letting the cold glass and the moonlight hold up our sweaty, glistening bodies. I run my fingers up and down her curves, tracing the lines of her waist, grabbing a handful of her hip.

  I pull out slowly, turning her around to kiss her deeply. “Let’s go upstairs and maybe get some sleep.”

  “I think I need a rest before round two,” Madison admits with a shy smile and sleepy eyes. “Just a quick recharge.”

  I pull her tight, grinning at how she can turn from sex goddess getting fucked against the window to bashful sex kitten in a wink. And I realize once again that I like this sometimes mouthy, often fascinating creature. She keeps me on my toes with her unpredictability, and that’s not something I usually experience.

  I lead her upstairs to my bed and then scoop her up, laying her down on my black silk sheets before climbing in beside her. She looks good in my space, in my bed where no woman has ever been before. It feels big, like maybe she waltzed right in through a crack in my heart I didn’t even know existed. We can still see out the window, and if I sit up, I can even see the little smear we left from our bodies pressed up against it a few minutes ago. She lays her head on my chest, and it feels good having her warm body against me. “Will you stay?” I feel vulnerable even asking, and I hate the hint of begging in my voice.

  Madison lifts up, looking at me. “For how long? Round two or ‘till morning?”

  I chuckle. “Maybe forever?” The words are light, but fuck if I don’t mean them.

  “Scott . . .” Madison’s eyes flash fire as her eyebrows pinch together a bit. “Don’t say things you don’t mean.”

  She doesn’t believe me. Of course, she doesn’t. Hell, I don’t be
lieve me even if it is what I want in this moment. And that’s scary as fuck. I don’t do shit like this, only casual things that serve me for work, for reputation, for some strategic reason. Madison doesn’t give a fuck about my work or any of that. She just likes me for some odd reason, and somehow, that feels like the biggest risk of all. But I don’t know if she’s the one gambling on me . . . or if I’m gambling on her. Maybe both?

  “Just stay . . . and we’ll see what happens.” I press a kiss to her collarbone to sweeten the deal, and a smile curls the corner of her mouth.

  Madison swings a leg over my hips and straddles me, her pussy pressing against my rapidly recovering cock. “Deal.”

  Chapter 14

  Madison

  Daily Horoscope, October 6th

  Libra – Exposing your hidden treasure means risking it to a thief. Hiding it forever means no one enjoys the bounty, not even you.

  I read Tiff’s texted version of my daily horoscope, along with her encouragement to Share that hidden treasure, bitch, and getcha some! I laugh out loud. That girl cracks me up every time. So I text her back a GIF of an opening treasure chest with a pirate proclaiming he’s going to ‘take my booty’. I barely have time to hit Send before Scott opens the door to my car and climbs in.

  “Thanks for letting me pick you up.”

  Scott chuckles, looking over from the passenger seat of my car and carefully adjusting his feet. Unfortunately, the lever to move the seat isn’t working, so it’s stuck at Tiff size, and Tiffany is about six inches shorter than Scott. “Well, you said I’d end up with dog hair on me and that it’d be hard on my car. Besides, it lets me get chauffeured around by a hot chick instead of the old-timer who sometimes drives me around.”