Chapter Eighteen

Elle

THE NEXT DAY, I went to work as if nothing had happened.

As if everything at the Palm Politics was a figment of my imagination.

As if I hadn’t come or given Penn any part of myself.

I still hated him.

But my body…~it wants more.~

Fleur handed me my meeting minutes, and I performed my duty in two conference calls like normal.

But ~nothing~ was normal.

I couldn’t stop replaying what had happened. Where the hell did Penn go after he’d taken what he wanted…or was that given? He’d given me an orgasm without expecting one in return.

He’d sent me home rather than kidnapped me to his place.

Had he gone home?

Had he found some other stupid woman to fall for his corrupted charm?

I hated that I wondered.

He was nothing more than sex. We’d agreed to that. ~I’d~ been the one to stipulate it.

~So why does it leave a sour taste in my mouth?~

As the day wore on, I itched to research him. To find out who he was, who Stewie was to him, who the mysterious Larry was. What did he do for work? Where did he live?

What had he told my father in the gin bar?

He left me with more questions than Nameless did.

I didn’t know how to contact him. I didn’t know how to tell anyone what had happened. He’d done exactly what he said and controlled me without trying.

By the time the afternoon rolled around, my heart was ragged from fretting and my insides tight and jumpy. I couldn’t stop imagining how I’d next bump into him and what he would make me do.

Would I say yes?

Would I say no?

Would he even give me a choice?

Those two daydreams caused twitchy anxiety to infiltrate my blood.

I stared blankly at my computer screen, dying for a distraction from both work and Penn when Fleur stuck her head into my office. “Um, there’s someone here to see you.”

Instantly, my body screamed yes. All while my mind bellowed no.

Then rationale took over.

~It can’t be.~

How could he gain access to my building? Why didn’t he call to tell me he was coming? Security wouldn’t just let him up unless I’d cleared his name, which I hadn’t.

My libido leaped at the thought of him, but self-preservation flipped into CEO mode. Last night had been terrifying in both good and terrible ways.

He had a habit of making me forget myself and spinning lies I couldn’t unscramble.

I couldn’t have him on my turf. “Tell him I’m too busy. Either take his phone number, and I’ll call him when it’s convenient, or he’ll have to make an appointment off site.”

~Take that, Penn.~

“Do you know who it is?” Fleur asked, suspicion bright on her adorable, pixie face. “Why are you acting weird?”

“Weird? I’m not weird.”

“I didn’t say ~you~ were weird. I said you’re ~acting~ weird.” She fiddled with an orange button on her burnt sunshine dress. “What’s his name?”

“Who?”

“The man you’re avoiding.”

“Who said—”

“Spit it out, Elle.”

I chewed a smile. “Penn Everett.”

Fleur inched closer, her eyes wide. “Did you meet him last night at the party? Oh, I knew you should've gone.” She swooned dramatically. “Did he ask you out? Wait, I thought Greg was your date?”

I pretended to enter a few numbers into my laptop. “I met him a few days before the party, but yes, we confirmed an arrangement last night.”

Fleur jumped up and down like a child. “An arrangement. What sort? A sexual sort? Look at you, you sexy minx. I demand you tell me everything.”

“Not until you tell him to leave.” I pointed at my door, laughing a little at her antics.

“In fact, tell him I’m far too busy for the next four years, and even though my answer is yes, he’d better have the patience of a saint if he wants to see me again.”

~Let’s see how he gets around that.~

He wanted to play games. Well, I could make up a few rules as we went.

She giggled. “Whatever he did to you last night has done wonders for your sense of humor.” Moving toward the door, she grinned.

“Finally, you’re learning how to have some fun.” She saluted me before vanishing out the door. “Leave it to me. Consider instigation with a new love interest in progress.”

I groaned under my breath as snippets of male voices sounded in the hallway then were cut off as Fleur closed the door, preventing more eavesdropping.

I probably shouldn’t have ordered her to tell Penn to wait four years. What if he took it seriously and left?

As much as his personality appalled me, the thought of him leaving before delivering on his promises made me mildly sick.

Hating myself, I pushed away from my desk and tiptoed to the door. Pressing against it, I struggled to follow the conversation on the other side.

“You must be Steve Hobson?”

That voice…it was already so familiar—hardwired to my belly and gasoline for every hidden desire. The sly smoothness; the cocky deepness. It wasn’t fair he was handsome and spoke like a rascally poet.

He might not be marriage material, but he definitely delivered on fantasy.

Penn wasn’t my future, but he could do very well for my present.

Steve’s voice flowed through my door. “Yes, I am. I’m Mr. Charlston’s oldest friend and colleague. You are?”

Without any hesitation and a lot of smugness, Penn said, “I’m Elle’s fiancé.”

My knees gave out.

~What?!~

I thought that lie was just for the girls at Palm Politics. He couldn’t go spreading such untruth around. My father would hear.

~Oh God, Dad.~

He’d be elated.

And then he’d be crushed when I called it off.

“Ah, yes. My son, Greg, mentioned something about an incident last night,” Steve said. “I thought he was exaggerating.” The disappointment in his tone crushed me like a little girl.

“I figured he’d mention it.” Penn’s voice dropped to deadly seriousness.

“I’m aware your son has feelings for my wife-to-be, sir, and I only have respect and regret that he didn’t deserve her affection. But rest assured, if he gets in my way, I won’t tolerate it.”

“What does that mean?” Steve snapped.

“It means Elle belongs to you in business. But she belongs to me in everything else.” His tone lowered possessively. “We’re together now, and no one will interfere. In fact, I’m here to collect her.

“It’s time for her to come home. We have lots of things to ~do~ tonight.”

Even behind the door, the sexual innuendos reeked with promise.

Steve cleared his throat, no doubt wondering when I had the time to hook up with a complete stranger and why Greg wasn’t the one taking me home. “I see.”

My tummy clenched at how forlorn he sounded.

I liked to think it was purely for wanting me to be happy and believing his son was the right candidate for the job, but some part believed he had ulterior motives.

He’d been nothing but loyal to this company, my father, and me, but running a business for so long that wasn’t yours must take a toll. Possession was a fundamental human flaw.

“You must excuse me; I’m late for our date.” Penn chuckled. “As you know, Elle is strict on timelines.”

Fleur’s voice piped up. “I’m afraid, Mr. Everett, Ms. Charlston has said she’s busy for the next four years, and you’ll have to make an appointment.”

“What?” His tone snapped through the door.

A nervous giggle percolated in my chest. Why did I want to piss him off? I’d pay for it later, no doubt.

~Shit, this was a bad idea.~

“Why is Ms. Charlston telling you to make an appointment when you’re telling me you’re her fiancé?” Steve asked suspiciously.

“No disrespect, sir, but it’s none of your business.”

Steve replied, “I think you’ll find it is. Elle means a great deal to her father and me. She’s really stepped into his shoes and taken the company to even greater heights.

“She’s far too successful for her own good, and that means pariahs are out there who see her as an easy target to her vast empire.”

~Damn you, Steve.~

Everyone made it sound as if I were some elusive unicorn to be hunted and snared. I wasn’t special or unique. I was bland and boring. A workaholic imprisoned since birth.

“I’m not one of those pariahs, believe me,” Penn muttered. “However, I can’t say the same for your son.”

Oh, my God. Did he truly just say that?

“Excuse me?” Steve blurted. “My son and Elle are extremely close. It’s only a matter of time before they progress from friends to something more.

“Whatever you think you have with her is at best a silly fling and at worst a future heartbreak. But mark my words, Greg will be there to pick up the pieces and make sure Elle is happy and protected.

“I don’t for a second believe in this marriage bullshit.”

I hated the optimism in his voice along with the vaguely concealed threat for Penn to back away.

That somehow Steve, even though he’d watched me turn from child to woman, still believed he controlled me enough to decide who I should share my body and life with.

~I’m surrounded by manipulators.~

“That will never happen,” Penn snapped. “After the interesting conversations I’ve had with Ms. Charlston, I can safely say she isn’t remotely interested in your son.”

~Oh, no. Please someone stop him.~

“In fact, she distinctly said she didn’t want to have a thing to do with him. She wants me. And she has me. Just like I have her. We’re engaged.”

Steve mumbled something I couldn’t hear.

Penn said, “That may be, but perhaps Ms. Charlston should be given the space to decide who she wants in her bed. Currently, that’s me, asshole.”

~Okay, that’s it.~

Wrenching my door open, I barreled into the waiting room. The soft furnishings and potted trees couldn’t distract me from my blistering anger toward the two men.

“Once again, I’m shocked stupid.” I clamped both hands on my hips. “Steve, I expected better of you.”

Steve had the decency to look down with his face flushed. “Sorry, Elle. I wasn’t saying that you and Greg were together but trying to protect your right to decide.”

“No, you weren’t. You were trying to keep Belle Elle in the family.

“You and Dad are everything to me, and that’s why I won’t hold a grudge, but if you try to push me together with Greg again, I’ll refuse to speak to you. Do you understand?”

“But Greg really likes you.”

“Don’t care. Not interested.”

Wow, the relief in finally speaking the truth and not worrying about other people’s feelings was immense.

“Hello again, Elle. Does this mean you’re available for our second date now and not in four years’ time?” Penn planted his feet and smirked.

“After all, you just admitted you’re more interested in me than anyone else.”

I turned burning blue eyes on him. “I’m only interested in watching you fall off one of our buildings, Mr. Everett.”

He chuckled. “Oh, now. Don’t be like that. I just did you a favor. One of many, I might add. You no longer have to deal with Greg.” He fiddled with a cufflink. “That was because of me. You owe me.”

“I don’t owe you anything. I revoke my yes.” My nose tipped upward. “It’s been amended to a resounding no. Now, go away.”

I spun around and marched back into my office, slamming the door in his face. The second I was away from him, I kicked off my heels and bolted into the bathroom.

Grabbing the sink, I stared at myself in the mirror. Hot points danced on my cheeks, and wild insanity replaced my calm capableness.

~What was I thinking by saying yes to that man?~

I hated the way he made my blood boil. I couldn’t stand the way he spread rumors and non-truths on my behalf. No man since Nameless had earned a reaction from me—either in like or hate.

I wasn’t ready to fight. I didn't have time to welcome attraction.

“God, this is all a mess.”

He was a mistake, and one I had to fix right away before he railroaded my life and ruined everything. If he didn’t take my no as gospel, I would call the police to instate a restraining order.

~Perhaps, I should become a nun?~ Then I’d never have to worry about sex or marriage.

I could just focus on what I was good at.

Business.

Splashing water on my face, I rubbed at the smudge of mascara and tamed some of the flyaways. Feeling mildly normal, I nodded at my reflection.

Agreeing that my work was done for the day and I’d go home, take a bath, and try to forget about Steve, my father, and most of all, damn Penn.

Opening the bathroom door, I jolted as the man I wanted to throw out my window sat smugly on the couch facing my bookshelves of magazines listing our clothes, houseware awards, and charity plaques for our work with selected organizations.

“You again!”

“Me.” He looked me up and down. “You got your shirt wet.”

I glanced at the sheer white fabric that was now see-through to the dusky pink bra I wore beneath it. I slapped a hand over my chest and stalked toward my desk.

My stomp didn’t have the same effect in stockinged feet as it would’ve in heels, but at least I was able to shrug on a cream and black piping jacket and hide a bit of my damp cleavage.

Sage ventured out from under my desk, baring her little fangs at the interloper.

“I thought I told you to leave.” Doing my best to get back in control, I snapped, “Besides, it’s not a shirt. It’s a blouse. If you weren’t such a Neanderthal, you’d know that.”

“Why would I know that? I’m a guy who wears guy’s clothing. I have no interest in women’s unless it’s on the floor after I’ve taken them off her.”

I glowered. “Fascinating insight into your true character, Mr. Everett.” I pointed at my door. “As you weren’t invited into my office, I’ll kindly ask you to go. For the second time.

“And while you’re at it, retract your lie about our upcoming nuptials.”

“You lost the power to tell me to leave the moment you said yes.” He never took his eyes off me. “It’s too late to change it to a no.

“However, if you’re so incensed, then hear me out and I’ll go…for now.”

I moved around my desk to stand in front of it and crossed my arms. “Hear what? I’m sure I heard all I needed to. You’re an egotistical maniac who I have no interest in doing anything else with.”

“Your body told me a different story last night.” He chuckled.

“And just to clarify, if I wasn’t an ‘egotistical maniac’ as you put it, then you’d consider letting me fuck you…like our original agreement?”

I frowned. “What?”

He stood up, breaching the space between us until he stood only a foot away. My skin prickled as goosebumps erupted under my wet blouse.

Sage hissed, swatting the air with her claws in warning.

Penn took no notice of her. “I’m sorry.” His face darkened with sincerity. “I know I didn’t have a right to talk about you like a trophy to be won from your father.

“And I’m sorry for warning Mr. Hobson to keep his son away from you.” He smiled tightly. “I would say I did that for your benefit, but really, I did it for me.” His eyes fell on my chest.

“I don’t do well with competition.”

“Well, your rules and jealousy are pointless because I have no intention of going to bed with you.”

“Lies, Elle. I thought you’d agreed we’d only have truth between us.”

His deep, heady aftershave stole up my nose, tying my thoughts into a sinful knot.

I didn’t reply as he deleted the remaining space between us.

I leaned back, my butt hitting the edge of my desk and my tummy locking into place.

“You know... I work in an office, too. I know how lonely these job spaces can be.” He licked his lips. “I also know how fantasies can spring from nothing.” His hand crept forward.

I flinched, expecting him to touch me. However, he placed his palm on the glass table, hemming me in on both sides. “Tell me, Ms. Charlston. Have you ever had sex in here?”

I froze. “Excuse me?”

His gaze hooded. “Has anyone bent you over your desk and fucked you? Stolen your power and used it against you?”

I shivered uncontrollably. My mouth urged to scream for Fleur to help. Was he threatening to take me? Here in my office?

I shoved him.

He stumbled backward, a black look dripping over his features. He shook his head, dispelling the clouds, once again settling into cocky. “I take that as a no.”

For a split second, I remembered the words from the assholes who hurt me in the alley. ‘~Have you ever been fucked over your desk, office girl? Ever given a boss a blowjob for a promotion?’~

It wasn’t an unusual concept.

I was sure many people had done just that and had lots of fun doing it. But I never had. And I wouldn’t today—not with Penn or anyone else who threatened my safety and position.

~Especially~ when chilly ice replaced my blood, struggling to separate that night in the alley and today with Penn.

The way he watched me was too close to the guy in the Baseball Cap—too intense, too focused on something he couldn’t have but would happily take anyway.

“Leave, Mr. Everett.”

“I told you to call me Penn.”

I cocked my chin. “Fine. Leave, Penn.”

“Not until you agree to dinner with me.”

“Never.”

“Never is too long to wait.” He glowered. “And besides, we’ve already agreed on the ground rules. You want to fuck me. I want to fuck you.

“Playing hard to get is only making me want to do that sooner rather than later.”

“No.”

“No what?

“No to everything. I told you, I changed my mind.”

“Why?”

“Because I said so.”

He licked his lips. “Yes, but why? Why change your mind after what happened last night? From what your father said, you work too much, you have no friends, and you severely lack fun in your life.”

My heart sank. “He said that?”

“I read between the lines.”

“Well read between my lines. N-O. Spells no. I’m too busy to play with you.”

“I said I was sorry.”

I stiffened, trying to sniff his new game. “Go on.”

He shrugged. Even that was sexy, dammit. “I shouldn’t have put words into your mouth. It’s up to you to decide if you want people to know about us.” He looked up beneath his brow.

“And the only way you can decide that is if you go on a date with me.”

I opened my mouth to argue, but he interrupted—another habit he seemed to have. “Don’t answer for yourself right now. Answer for yourself in five years’ time. Where do you see yourself?

“Here in this office doing the exact same thing with the exact same unhappiness?”

~God, I hope not.~

“Or do you want to see if you could have this and more? Work and play? Love and obligation?”

My eyes shot daggers. “You think I could love you?”

“I think you could have fun with me.”

“I think otherwise.”

He grinned. “That’s what this is about. To see if our opinions line up.”

“Are you going to leave if I say no again?”

“Nope.” He came closer. “I’ll just keep showing up at really inconvenient times until you say yes.” His aftershave drugged me again. “Choose the easier option, Ms. Charlston. Let me have you.

“It’s the only way forward.”

“What will you do to me?”

Instantly, my office thickened with sexual tension.

My breath hitched as his eyes drifted to my mouth.

His voice lowered to scorching charcoal. “Anything I damn well want.” His hand cupped my cheek, holding me tight. “I’ll strip you, taste you, devour you. I’ll eat, lick, and bite you.

“And only once you’re begging will I fuck you.”

My body flushed as hot as the sun, as bright as Venus, as untouched as Pluto.

I shoved him away and stalked to the exit. All I wanted to do was dare him to try it. To fight and claw and let him subdue me because, ~holy hell~, he made it sound delicious.

But the other part—the vanishing part—was afraid of losing herself.

Sex was too powerful.

Sex should be done between two people who liked each other and not a couple with nothing in common.

I cleared my throat and my mind. I clung to common sense. “I suggest you leave before I knee you in places a lady should never knee a man.”

He hunted me, bringing with him cyclones full of lust.

“If you want to touch that part of me, I would prefer it was with something softer than your knee.” He chased me, once again corralling me against a hard surface.

This time the door.

“Your hand would work.” He cupped my wrist, slipping his fingers through mine. “Your hand is welcome.” His eyes turned jet black with need. “I could come from your hand alone.”

I fought my shiver but couldn’t stop the goosebumps darting up my arms. His touch was possessive but soft. Strong but coaxing.

His fingers squeezed mine as he swayed closer. “Or if you didn’t want to use that part of your anatomy, your mouth would do equally well.” He licked his bottom lip. “In fact, I want both.”

“Never.”

“Never?” He smiled. “Don’t lie.” His hand crept up my arm to my shoulder, adding pressure until my knees threatened to buckle. “Let’s see how soon never is, shall we?” He kissed me sweetly.

“I fingered you until you came last night. The least you can do is blow me.”

~I like the thought of you giving me a blowjob. Get her on her knees.~

The rapists and alley stole the present, hurtling me back before Nameless had found me. Before he hurt them for hurting me. Before he prevented my life from tumbling into ruin.

Why did Penn cause flashbacks that I’d successfully put behind me?

Why did he awake sharp instincts?

And why were those instincts scrambled between trust and mistrust, unable to see the truth hiding in his lies?

My office returned. The alley disappeared. Penn was still there. His pressure on my shoulder stronger, pestering me to fall into servitude before him.

I breathed hard. “You expect me to wrap my lips around your cock? Here? Now? In my office?”

He nodded. “Absolutely.” He fisted my hair without warning, tilting my head to attack my throat with his mouth and teeth. “Here, you’re god. Here, you’re in charge.

“It turns me the fuck on knowing you’re the one with all the power, yet you’re considering getting on your knees to serve me.”

It took every ounce of willpower, every brave denial, but I managed to untangle my fingers from his and tear my neck from his kisses. “Too bad for you, you’ll have to remain turned on.

“I have no intention of doing such a thing.”

“What are you afraid of?” His eyes narrowed. “You know this is a game. You understand the rules.”

“I don’t understand any of this.”

“The rules are sex. Mutually enjoyed sex. Despite what you think, you like being told what to do.” He gathered me close, inhaling my perfume. “Give me two minutes.

“Two minutes to command you, and if you don’t like it, I’ll walk away.”

My heart beat crazy. “Two minutes?”

He bit his lip, nodding. “You have my word.”

“If you break it, I’m turning you into a eunuch with a sharp kick.”

He chuckled, stepping back and spreading his thighs. “There are worse things I can imagine than your leg between mine.” His eyes were dark as nightmares. “But for now, get on your fucking knees.”

~Get her on her knees.~

A similar command had torn me apart. The thought of sucking strange men in an alley grotesque. However, this command turned my chest into a furnace, charring my heart to dust.

I didn’t know what happened to my brain.

I didn’t understand how hate could be such an aphrodisiac.

But he circumnavigated the CEO. He spoke to some primitive part of me.

I wanted to tell him to leave.

I wanted to prove I had more respect than that.

Yet I sank down the door to my knees.

Sage watched me as if all her respect for me as her human evaporated.

~Damn cat.~

Penn shuddered, looking part monster, part angel. “Shit, you make me hard when you obey.” His gaze fell on my breasts. “Now that you’re playing, we’re going to do a little show and tell.”

~Before we show you ours, you have to show us yours.~

The alley.

I was back there again.

Huddled in pain, grasping at dignity.

I stayed silent, doing my best to stay alive while my heart tried to slam through my ribs.

The past and future were merely two dimensions separated from each other by the present. Yet I lived in neither.

I existed in the glue bridging them together, somehow allowing three years ago to affect today.

I wanted Nameless to barge into my world and rescue me for the second time.

Penn’s hands fell to his belt, pushing aside the tails of his midnight blazer, and undoing the leather slowly. “I’m going to show you what you do to me, Elle. But in return, I want to see you.”

~Let’s see what your tits are like.~

I gulped.

He morphed into one of those bastards, flickering with Adidas symbols and expensive suits. He never looked away as he pulled the belt, unthreading it and letting it hang in the loops.

“Unbutton your shirt.”

Forcing myself to shed the memories and focus entirely on him, I latched onto the most idiotic thing I’d ever uttered. “It’s a blouse.”

“I don’t care.” His growl echoed through my core. “Unbutton it.”

My hands shook but slowly connected with the pearl buttons and hesitantly undid one.

This was now. Penn was now. Nameless was yesterday.

It took more effort than I could afford, but I shut the door on the past and slotted firmly back into the present.

“The next.” Penn trembled as he locked his hands on the button of his waistband. The crisp cream shirt and dark jeans he wore made him untouchable yet so normal.

I popped the next button, breathing hard and quick.

He followed, undoing his and pulling on his zipper.

Without waiting for his command, I undid buttons three then four; my eyes locked on his hands as he pulled his zipper down and down.

When my blouse hung undone, and his zipper had nowhere else to go, our eyes met.

Our lips parted; mirrored images of desire.

“Open it.” His voice had lost the playful kink from before, slipping straight into serious smut. “Let me see you.”

With bravery I didn’t know I had, I pushed my blouse away from my breasts, revealing the dusky pink bra.

He groaned, his hand disappearing into his jeans.

My stomach clenched so hard, so deep, I bent over a little in surprise.

His lips twisted. “Do you like that?” He squeezed himself, his thighs tightening beneath the denim. “Do you like knowing I’m this hard all because of you? That I haven’t been this hard in years.

“That all I can think about is sticking this in every place you’ll let me.”

Oh. My. ~God.~

I swam in heat. I drowned in liquid. I was so wet my panties were soaked.

“Pull your bra down, and I’ll show you more.”

My fingers hooked on the front cups of my bra as his latched around his jeans and levered them a little off his hips.

Never looking away, objectifying both of us by only watching our bodies and not our souls, he reached into his tight black boxer-briefs and pulled out his cock.

My core spasmed as I swallowed hard and pulled my bra down, revealing my pebbled nipples and heavy globes of flesh that had long since been neglected.

“Fuck, Elle.” His hand grasped his long length. The head glowed with darker flesh, a droplet glistening on top. Veins ran down the sides, bulging with desire—the same desire throbbing in my clit.

All I could see... all I could think about... was sex.

My legs parted a little as my hips became loose and wanting. An emptiness echoed inside me, becoming more and more cavernous the longer I stared at him.

“Do you want this?” he murmured, his face black with lust.

There was no banter or connection. Whatever respect we had for each other was tarnished by the way I stared up with him standing over me with his cock in his hand.

It ought to be degrading, but I found a different sort of power on my knees. The way he panted. The way his hips rocked with a subtle sway even he wasn’t aware of.

We no longer lived in the real world but sex, sex, sex.

I nodded just once, licking my lips.

“Jesus, Elle.” His head fell forward as he squeezed the tip. “Say it out loud. Do you want my cock?”

I didn’t care if anyone was outside my door eavesdropping. I didn’t care that I should stop this and throw him from my office.

I embraced the river flowing inside me and whispered, “Yes.”

“Where? Where do you want it?”

So many places.

So many foreign, wonderful ready-to-be explored places.

But first, the one he wanted. The one he’d hinted at, and the reason I was on my knees. “My mouth.”

He groan-growled as he stepped forward. His shoes hit my knees, his height towering over me with his cock speared from his angry fist. “Suck it then.”

My breasts ached with pain I’d never experienced.

I sat taller on my knees.

I reached forward.

My fingers so close to claiming him.

But then he stepped back, tucking his erection away, shaking with need and discipline. He didn’t do up his belt or zipper, but he flashed a silver watch on his wrist. “Your two minutes are up.”

The sexual trance he’d put me into shattered.

I shivered with sudden cold and yanked up my bra in disgrace. Grabbing the sides of my blouse, I huddled before shooting upright with rage so bright, so brilliant, I wanted to rip him into pieces.

“That’s it?” I snarled. “Was that all a stupid game to you? A ploy to show me that you can make me do what you want, after all?” A heavy gathering sat between my legs, throbbing to be touched.

Desperate for a release.

“I wanted to be sure there were no lies. You saw how much I want you. I saw how much you want me.” He kept his distance, refusing to touch me. “Next time, I won’t accept your bullshit.”

“Next time?! You think there’ll be a next time? This was the only time, and you just humiliated me.”

“Yes, well, you almost made me cum just by licking your fucking lips.”

I opened my mouth to retort, but angry tears crept up my spine. The lust in my blood eroded my self-control. Spinning around, I grabbed the doorknob and yanked. I didn’t care his trousers were undone.

I didn’t care my blouse was open. I wanted him gone. I wanted it now.

His hand slammed against the wood, shoving it back into the frame with a loud smack. His body heat pressed against me, the teeth of his open zipper digging into my pinstripe skirt.

“You think you can leave? I didn’t say you could.”

“Let me go.”

His hands pressed flat against the door, caging me.

Sage meowed loudly, attempting to join my battle to make him leave.

I couldn’t think with him so close. I could only feel. And by God, I could feel. ~Everything.~ His breath on my nape, his chest rising and falling against my spine.

And his cock twitching against my ass.

The domination and power of his will were tangible things, suffocating me under his command. Everything outside of him and me ceased to exist.

My entire body begged for whatever he would do next even while my mind bellowed at me to scream.

Whatever existed between us was visceral, indescribable, completely imprisoning.

“I’ll never let you go. Not until I’m through with you.” His lips landed on the top of my shoulder. “Turn around, Elle.”

My body shuddered in an overwhelming wave of arousal. I wasn’t supposed to like this. I wasn’t supposed to get wet under his cruel, commanding tone.

His body heated with hunger and demand, dragging urges from deep inside me. Urges I could no longer deny.

I wanted him.

And I didn’t know how to handle that.

I refused to turn. Sadness interfered with my desire, scrambling me up inside. “I can’t do this with you. I’m not equipped.”

His lips caressed my hair. “You can. You’re doing it right now.”

“But I don’t know what comes next. I—I—”

“You do. You know exactly what comes next.” His hand splayed over my stomach, pulling me back into his hips. His cock was big, hard, and so hot. “This goes inside you.

“It makes all that confusion and emptiness vanish.”

I spun in his arms.

“How? Nothing has that power.”

“Trust me.” His fingers latched around my throat, pinning me against the door. He fell forward, wedging his entire length along mine. Aligning his cock to my clit, he thrust.

The action was so crude, so basic in mating, I moaned.

“Wrap your legs around my hips.”

Shifting my skirt high so I could spread my legs, I jumped and did exactly what he told me, my body taking control.

He grunted as he caught my weight before crushing me against the door again. “We’re both going to come. We’re going to do it together.

“And we’re not going to overthink it or ruin it by refusing what our bodies so fucking desperately need, got it?”

I had no other choice.

I nodded.

I didn’t know if he meant he planned to take me against my door or if he’d use his fingers or expected my mouth but all questions died like flightless birds the moment he thrust again.

Reaching between us, he pulled down his trousers, freeing himself and wedging his naked cock against my panty-covered pussy.

With my legs around his waist, his hardness lined up perfectly against every inch of me.

“Christ, you’re soaked.” He looked down. “Soon, I’m going to see every inch of you, Elle, but for now, you owe me an orgasm.”

Confusion hit me. So he meant to keep the tiny piece of cotton and lace between us? That we would grind and come but not consummate?

His jaw clenched, his messy hair tumbling over his forehead. His biceps bulged from holding me as he curved into me. “Kiss me.” His voice was hoarse.

I gave up my questions and denial and tipped my head up.

He groaned, capturing my mouth with his. His lips were firm and warm. His pressure the perfect accompaniment. His tongue dived inside, tasting me, fighting me with deep licks.

And then, he moved.

Slow and deep, thrusting his long length against my wet panties, grinding into me at exactly the right spot. His hands dropped to my ass, tightening and pinching with each rock, driving me insane.

He didn’t attempt to enter me. He remained on the outskirts, keeping cotton as our prison guard, letting temptation be our mistress.

I lost track of everything as his kisses swept me away and his hips kept me anchored to him and only him. I distantly noticed my hands swooped up to capture his face and hair.

Tugging and yanking, I directed him to kiss me harder, thrust faster—deepening the connection between us.

He growled into the kiss, his tongue turning into a lashing whip as his body moved faster over mine, igniting electricity and chemistry and fire.

The pounding of his heartbeat echoed into me as we clawed and clung, climbing and climbing, desperately seeking the pleasure just out of reach.

“Fuck, I want you.” He thrust harder. “I can’t stop.” Cupping my ass, he angled me in just the right way. My clit spindled with the beginnings of an orgasm.

I pressed tight against him, aware of every hard intoxicating piece of his body.

His face contorted. “Jesus, I’m going to come.”

My skin misted with sweat, blistering with sensitivity. Penn’s hand slid up my thigh, grabbing me so hard I shivered with a mixture of fear and abandon.

A low rumble vibrated in his chest as his pace increased, and I clutched him tight.

Our teeth clacked together as our kiss turned sloppy, our bodies turned manic, and the orgasm teasing us erupted into being.

I split in two.

I melted into a puddle.

Wave after wave, I shuddered in his arms, cringing and crying as his cock kept me flying far too high.

I was vaguely aware of his head falling back, his fingernails breaking my skin, and the shot of stickiness on my inner thigh.

Even sated, my body still strained to get closer, to increase our contact until he was inside me, not just touching me.

I didn’t know who shook more—him or me.

Lowering his head, his face blank and eyes dazed from his release, he claimed my mouth again with a thread of violence I hungered for. He drank me as I drank him.

We groaned together as he rocked slower this time, highlighting sore extremities, encouraging final tingles to remain.

Then someone knocked on the door.

Shattering our moment.

Reminding us we weren’t alone.