Her breathing hitched. “I’m older than you are.”
“Three years,” I scoffed. “It’s nothing.”
“I’m serious. I don’t do relationships.”
“Nor do I.” I bent forward, lowering my voice. “May I be blunt with you?”
“I prefer blunt.”
“I find you incredibly attractive, Deirdre. Very sexy in your buttoned-up clothes and calm exterior. I’d like to see what happens when you’re naked and aroused.” I tilted my head, studying her. “Like now—are you aware in the past few minutes, your breathing picked up and your eyes darkened? You have the loveliest color across your cheeks. Even the tips of your ears are pink. I wonder how far down I could make you flush that way.”
Her color deepened, but she didn’t flinch. She shifted closer, our knees pressed together under the table. Her normally husky voice was even lower, turning me on. “You want honest?”
I nodded.
“I think you’re one of the sexiest men I’ve ever met, Maddox. I see how your toned body moves when you walk, and I imagine you moving in me. You use your hands a lot when you talk, and I want to feel them on my skin. Your muscles flex under your expensive suits, and I want to feel them tighten under my touch.” She ran her finger over her lips. “I want to taste you and watch you fall apart.”
“Then maybe we should go and explore each other.”
On the table between us, her phone pinged with an incoming message. She ignored it, never breaking our gaze. It rang out again. With a sigh, she picked it up, her brow furrowed, and she grimaced.
“Problem?”
“My boss needs me to return to work.”
“Could you refuse?”
She sighed, her posture slumped. “Probably not.” She met my gaze with a slight shrug of her shoulders. “I could postpone him for a short while.”
I shook my head, disappointed yet resigned. The moment had been broken, and it was probably a good thing. Given the dynamic of the group we had, no matter what we said, sex might complicate things.
And I hated complications.
I stood, offering her a smile. “I’ll walk you to your building.”
“You don’t have to do that.”
“It’s not a problem. It’s on my way.”
We were quiet as we walked. Strangely, my disappointment lingered, and the desire I felt hadn’t ebbed at all. Before we got to her office building, I pulled her into an alley and yanked her close. Without a word, I crashed my mouth to hers. She flung her arms around my neck without hesitation. I traced her lips with my tongue, sliding into her sweetness as she parted her mouth. I explored her, tasting and teasing, our tongues dueling for control. With a low growl, I fisted her hair, angling her head and taking over. She melted into me; her body was supple and her quiet whimper a total turn-on. I licked at her mouth, nibbled her lips, sucked and pulled at her tongue. I tugged on her hair, holding her tight and controlling her movements. She tasted of coffee and sweets and all things Dee. She gripped my neck, sliding her fingers into my hair, twisting the strands. All too soon, we broke apart, both of us breathless, our mouths swollen and cheeks flushed.
I brushed her cheek with my fingers. “A taste of what should have been.”
She captured my hand, pressing a kiss to my palm. She teased the skin with her tongue. “Damn cockblocking boss.”
The words were out before I could stop them. “Make sure that’s the only part of his cock you’re ever near, Deirdre Wilson.”
I spun on my heel and left her.
Our tryst remained a memory until Emmy was kidnapped. After she came home, we all sat in the living room waiting for Bentley to join us. Eventually, Emmy gave up, and wandered upstairs mumbling about studying. Cami followed her not long after, and Aiden watched her leave, his eyes following her until she was gone. Dee disappeared into the kitchen, and Aiden stood.
“I don’t think we’re doing pizza.”
“No.”
“I’m heading upstairs.”
I knew exactly where he was going, so I nodded. After he was gone, I was restless and edgy. It had been one hell of a few days, and my nerves were stretched tight. I paced the room a bit, then decided to get a drink.
In the kitchen, Dee was perched against the counter, nibbling on some grapes. She was casual, dressed in sweats and an old, plaid button-down shirt. She looked . . . edible.
“Hi,” she murmured.
I grabbed a beer from the fridge and took a long swallow, leaning against the counter across from her. “Hey. How you holding up?”
“I’m fine. You?”
I shrugged.
“Is your head aching again?”
“No,” I assured her. The night before, she had made me lie down, and she stroked my head to ease the pain until I fell asleep. I had felt oddly comforted and cared for. “I need something. I just don’t know what I need.”
“I could make you something.”
I smiled and, without thinking, pushed off the counter. I moved a stray piece of hair from her cheek. It was soft against my fingers and I rubbed the silken texture. Suddenly, I knew what I wanted.
What I needed.
“Always looking after everyone, aren’t you . . . Deirdre?”
Her eyes grew round, and her hand holding a grape froze partway to her mouth. With a low chuckle, I bent and sucked the grape into my mouth, chewing it slowly. “Mmm, sweet. Delicious,” I murmured. I set down my beer bottle on the counter. “You know what else I remember being sweet?”
She shook her head, the motion slow and deliberate.
I lifted her to the counter, sliding my hands along her thighs, parting them wide and slipping between them. Her breathing picked up, the flush of color I remembered so vividly staining her chest.
I traced the streak of color with my index finger. “Ah, I like this. I recall wanting to know how far it went.” Teasingly, I popped a button, then another, my fingers finding the warm skin and rosy color on her chest.
I leaned into her, almost groaning when her legs wrapped around me, pulling me in closer. “I remember how sweet you tasted on my tongue, Deirdre. How you felt pressed into me. How much I wanted to drag you to my place and fuck you. I didn’t even care if you got in trouble with your cockblocking boss. I wanted you. Does that ring a bell with you?”
She curled her hands into my shirt, fisting it tight. “Yes.”
“I know what I need from you right now. Are you willing to give it to me?”
“Oh God, yes.”
“Are you sure?”
She slipped her fingers into a pocket of her flannel shirt and held out a condom. “I’ve been waiting for you to come find me all day.”
I yanked her tight and kissed her. I fisted her hair in my hands, tugging and twisting the silk between my fingers. I devoured her mouth, licking and nipping at her as she whimpered and moaned. She grabbed at me, her need as strong as my own. I heard the kitchen door open, but I couldn’t stop. I knew Bentley had seen us, but he left quickly, and I didn’t care. In seconds, I had her sweats stripped away, revealing frilly pink underwear so minute they barely covered her. In one twist, I tore them from her body, sliding my fingers into her wet heat. She bucked against my hand, her groan loud in my ear.
“You like that, Deirdre? You like my fingers in that sweet pussy of yours?”
“Not as much as I want your cock.”
“First, you’re going to come on my hand, then you get my cock. Do you understand?” I hissed in her ear. “We do this my way. Always my way.”
She tensed, her muscles fluttering.
“That’s it, baby. Let go.”
She arched, her mouth open in a silent scream as she came. I tore her shirt open, sucking her tight nipple into my mouth right through her pretty pink lace lingerie. I bit down as she arched again, her body straining for more.
I yanked down my sweats, my hard, aching cock springing free. I rolled on the condom, her eyes wild and watching, her breathing hard.
“Oh God, you’re so big.” She moaned.
“You want this, Deirdre? You need to tell me what you want. What you need.”
“I need you to fuck me. Take away the ache with that huge cock of yours.”
I stroked myself, pleased with her answer. “I’ll take away the ache, baby. I promise you that.”
I buried myself in her. The entire world narrowed down to mind-blowing pleasure. She was hot, slick, and tight. She met my thrusts, matched my rhythm, driving me crazy with her mouth as she licked and nipped at my neck. I pumped steadily, gripping her hips hard, lost in the vortex we had created. Sweat pebbled around my scalp, and my back grew damp. I wrapped my arm around her waist, holding her tight as I fucked her with everything I had.
“I’m going to come,” I groaned into her ear. “Let me feel you, baby. Take me with you.”
Minutes later, she cried softly into my neck, her body locking down. I stiffened, letting my orgasm wash over me. Ecstasy raced through me as I shuddered, enveloped in her arms until I was done.
I lifted my head, meeting her gaze, wondering what I would see. She grinned, sated and relaxed. “I don’t think Bentley would approve of what we did in his kitchen.”
I grinned back; relieved she was still simply Dee. “I don’t think we should tell him.”
“I don’t think we should tell him how you fucked me in my room later either.”
I quirked an eyebrow at her. “Is that a fact?”
“I think so.”
I kissed her. “All right then.”
My smile faltered as the memories grew dim. Whether I admitted it or not, my feelings for her had already started to grow even then.
MaddoxAIDEN STROLLED INTO my office, a file tucked under his arm, a box in one hand and coffees in the other. With a grin, he sank down in a chair across from my desk.“Hey, Mad Dog.”“Hey.”He opened the box with a flourish and handed me a cinnamon bun, one of my weaknesses. I took it with a shake of my head. “I think you keep the café downstairs in business.”He bit into his lemon Danish, chewing and swallowing. “They make amazing baked goods.” He handed me a coffee. “Sandy is out with Bentley, so I had to get creative.”I laughed at his statement. “You know as well as I do there is always coffee in the thermal pot.”He shook his head. “Nope. Reid pulled another all-nighter. He has the pot on his desk with a straw.” He rolled his eyes. “The kid is gonna be wired.”“In more ways than one. What’s he working on now?”“More Ridge Towers stuff. He’s full of ideas.”“He’s full of something.” I sipped my coffee. “Where are Bent and Sandy?”“Looking at some houses with Van and Olivia.”I c
“We know.”Before he could say anything else, there was a knock at my door, and Jordan Hayes came in, holding a folder. He was the head of our team for Ridge Towers and oversaw every aspect of the project. An older man, he projected an air of calm and authority. He ran a tight crew, had great attention to detail, and didn’t believe in cutting corners.“Great news!”“What’s up?”“We got a whole bunch of building permits pushed through. We’re right on schedule—in fact, ahead at this point. We’ll be breaking ground in a few months.”Aiden and I exchanged grins. “You’re right, that is great news.”“I’ll send you projected dates and you can start your marketing plans.”“Thanks, Jordan.”With a wave, he left.“Bent will be happy to hear that news.”“Yeah, he will.” Aiden reached for the file folder he had carried in. “He wants to go ahead with his idea of exploring other companies for marketing. He wasn’t happy with the last firm.”“I know. Did you come up with some candidates?”“Yeah. I go
She scowled, dropping her hand. “Do I have to have a reason to drop by?”I chuckled and shook my head, although deep inside I hoped there was a reason. “No, simply wondering.”“Well, to be honest, I got tired of online shopping, and I fancied some company. Plus, I wanted to see if you would like to come to dinner tomorrow?”I was surprised. Dee never invited me to her place. “Dinner?”“I’m having Cami and Aiden for supper. His favorite food is fried chicken. I thought you might like to join us.”A home-cooked meal, good friends, and the pleasure of her company?“I would. Thank you.”She settled into her chair with a sigh. “Great.”“You don’t strike me as the type to online shop.”“Oh?” She laughed lightly. “What type am I?”“Tactile,” I answered promptly. “You’re the kind of person who would want to touch the fabric, feel the textures of something you purchase.”I knew that because I was the same way.She smiled in acknowledgement. “Normally, I would agree with you. But when it comes
Then that’s what you get.” I crashed my lips to hers, sweeping my tongue into her mouth. She clutched at my neck as I continued to tease her nipples, the buds erect and pushing against my fingers. I kissed her hard, needing her taste, wanting to feel her tongue wrapped around mine. I sucked and licked at her, biting her lips and teasing her breasts. She arched into my touch, whimpering low. I broke away, and before she could react, I spun her around. I ran my fingers down her arms, placing her hands on my desk and easing her torso down to the cold glass of the desktop.“Like this, Deirdre. Tonight, I’m having you like this.”She shivered, spreading her arms wide and lifting her ass. Slowly, I peeled her leggings down, smirking at the lace stretched over her ass. Red. Sexy.In the way.Hooking my fingers around the sides, I tugged. “I hope these are disposable.”She groaned. “I just bought them.”“For me?” I tugged again, feeling the elastic begin to tear. I already knew the answer. Sh
“I think-I think I need it. I need that from you, Maddox.”“Tell me.”“I have to be in control all the time,” she confessed. She shivered, and I grabbed her sweatshirt, draping it over her body. I was afraid if I moved, she would stop talking.“When I’m with you, you take over. I don’t have to think. Only feel.” She sighed again. “I so rarely get to feel.”“I like making you feel.” I flexed my hips, feeling myself begin to harden beneath her. “I like when you lose yourself with me.” I slipped my hand under her chin, bringing her to my mouth. “I like being with you.”“Me too.”She tightened around me as I slid through her wetness, making me groan.“Are you sore?”“A bit.”I lifted my hips, making her whimper. “I can be gentle.” I guided my hand between her legs, teasing her. “We can take it slow and easy.” I kissed her mouth, dipping my tongue inside her sweetness, tapping her clit with my finger. “One more time, Deirdre, for me.”“Slow,” she whispered.“Yeah, baby,” I promised, reachi
I stepped behind her, covering her hand that was moving items around aimlessly on the shelf.“Deirdre.”She stilled.I wound my arm around her waist, pulling her body tight to mine. I lowered my mouth to her ear. “What are you doing?”“Ma-making dinner.”“Why are you so distracted?” I ran my hands up to her neck, feeling the stiffness in her shoulders. “What is making you so tense? It’s dinner.”Her voice was thick. “It’s her first dinner with me when she doesn’t live here. I want it to be perfect.”I held her close. “It’s Cami. She wants dinner with her sister. To feed her husband the best fried chicken he ever tasted. Zero expectations otherwise.” I nuzzled her neck. “You need to relax.”“I-I can’t seem to. I feel as if I’m going to explode!”“What can I do to help?” I slipped my hand under her apron and shirt to her soft skin. “Do I need to fuck you hard and fast to get you to relax?” I bit down on her lobe, tugging on it with my teeth. “Would that help?”“We don’t have time. They’
Aiden interjected. “She doesn’t have to work so hard now, Dee. I asked her to give it up so she can concentrate on school—” he paused with a grin “—and me.”“Oh. You never mentioned it, Cami.”Cami looked apologetic. “I’m sorry. I forgot to tell you.”Dee’s smile looked forced. “Of course. Not an issue. Saturday would be great.”Aiden glanced at me. “You coming, Mad Dog?”“Nope.” I lifted my mug. “I’m gonna finish my coffee. We’re headed in two different directions anyway.” I smirked. “I’m up, you’re down. I’ll see you in the morning.”He paused, seeming as if he wanted to say something. I arched my eyebrow at him in question, and he shrugged.“Okay. Have a good night.”“You as well.”They left, and Dee wandered into the living room, sat down, and curled one leg underneath her. She lifted her mug, sipping the coffee.“That upset you.”“Sorry?”“Finding out Cami quit her job. It upset you.”“No.” She hesitated. “I mean, I was surprised. I suppose I shouldn’t be. I know Aiden is wealthy
“You look so sexy, Deirdre, on your knees with my cock in your mouth.”She hummed around me, making me groan again.“This is turning you on, isn’t it? Making you wet for me?”Her hands curved around my ass, pushing my cock farther down her throat. I hissed in pleasure, my fingers moving restlessly in her hair.“God, baby, I love your mouth. You’re so good at sucking me off.”In a sudden blaze of possessiveness, I stilled her movements. “Me, Deirdre. The one person who gets to feel your mouth on his cock is me, do you understand?”Her eyes widened, and she hummed again. Not satisfied, I pulled back, my cock screaming in protest at the loss of her mouth.“Say it,” I demanded.“Only you,” she repeated. Her eyes narrowed. “Only me.” She guided me back into her mouth, her words equally possessive.“Fuck,” I groaned.She swallowed around me, the sensation making me gasp. I had never been so deep in her throat. Her movements sped up, my orgasm barreling down on me like a freight train. There