Chapter 7 : Bad Things

*Noland’s POV*

Lexie's allure haunts my thoughts as I gaze into the crackling fire. The mansion is still, shrouded in slumber, yet her essence fills the space, my mind refusing to relinquish the memory of her touch, her scent, the softness of her skin beneath my hands.

A fierce ache pulses through my veins, an unyielding need that transcends the boundaries of reason. Each moment we spend close to each other only serves to deepen my longing for her, my restraint wavering in the face of a desire I'm powerless to resist. I need to control myself. I need to realize that if I take her, I might damage her with my dark desires.

Silently cursing my weakness, I rise and pour a glass of scotch, the amber liquid burning a path down my throat. Anything to dull the ferocity of this craving, anything to temper the fierce battle between duty and passion raging within.

The clock ticks past midnight, then one, and still sleep eludes me. My thoughts fixated on the vision of having Lexie in my study, perched on the edge of my desk, her legs wrapped around my waist. She would be begging me to take her, begging me to make her mind again and again.

When the first rays of dawn filter through the windows, resignation settles in my bones. There will be no escape from this. Ever since the moment I first gazed into those depthless green eyes and glimpsed the woman beneath the scars, I have been doomed. She did nothing to ignite this desire I have for her, and for that reason, I want her even more.

I rise and dress for the day ahead, each movement heavy with longing. As I get to the office, I already find many papers waiting for me at my desk. I sigh and start going through them all, not letting any particular detail escape my scrutiny.

Thinking of Lexie is a danger I can’t afford to go through now, I push her away to let my business person come and take control.

Many would think this is very wrong, but I always found it made me the best at what I do. I don’t let anything and anyone distract me when I focus and deal with my estate empire. Who would I be now if I had let things affect me? I would have been a no-one, and nothing.

At noon, my assistant brings Miles Pieson, the hedge fund manager who has been wanting to acquire one of my properties. Exactly the one where Natasha held her party nights ago. The memories of that man trying to force himself on Lexie come back to me and I am shocked to find out that memories of Lexie are shattering my walls. I have to be stronger than that.

“Noland, finally you make room in your agenda to see me. I was starting to believe you were avoiding me!” His voice is shaking a bit, he is pretending to be confident and I find it amusing.

“Miles, come in, please take a seat. I haven’t been avoiding you, I am just rather busy. I bought two new estates and had to personally survey they were in perfect condition,” I know this catches his attention as he wants a very large estate.

“So you got something more to offer?” His interest peaked as predicted.

I chuckle. “Yes, but they are smaller than the one you are interested in. I can still show them to you if you want.”

He waves a hand and shakes his head. “Oh, nevermind then. I just want that jewel you have on the east. Are you ready to let it go? I have lifted my offer considerably.”

I smirk. “Give me one week to remove some personal things from there, then next week we can meet there for you to inspect, and sign the contracts.”

The grin on his face is enjoyable. He has good intentions, he wants to give it to his daughter for her wedding, and I like a person that is a good father.

A good father, not like me, craving for my daughter’s best friend.

Returning to the quiet mansion, I find the household already enveloped in slumber, my resolve wavering as I linger by Lexie’s door, my hand hesitating to knock, eventually retreating to my own space.

The hallways are dimly lit, shadows dancing across the floor as I make my way to the master suite. An ache settles in my chest, a hollow longing I'm helpless to appease.

In my room, I shrug off my jacket and loosen my tie, the confines of propriety and etiquette falling away with each discarded piece of clothing. But no measure of freedom will quell the tempest raging inside, the fierce desire for the one woman I can never have.

The rhythmic flow of the shower fails to calm my racing mind, the heat only serving to amplify the unresolved tension coursing through my veins, my thoughts remaining consumed by her presence. I want her so badly, that it even surprises me.

Steam rises around me as water pounds against my skin, a poor substitute for what I really want, her touch. I close my eyes, envisioning Lexie here with me, her lithe form pressed to mine, her soft cries echoing off the marble walls while I make her cum. I reach for her, my hands finding only empty air as desire coils tight within, an ache with no relief.

With a growl of frustration, I brace my hands against the wall, droplets sliding down my skin and mingling with the heat coursing over my body. But no measure of scalding water will scorch the memory of her taste from my mind, the feel of her in my arms.

I am helpless. All that remains is the slow descent into madness or the bliss of finally having her in my arms. The lengths to which lust will drive someone to insanity! I should stop thinking of her.

Frustration mounting, I attempt to find solace in sleep, but the allure of her essence persists, leaving me restless and unable to find peace in the stillness of the night.

The sheets are tangled around my legs, the pillow damp with sweat. I stare into the shadows, watching shapes dance and morph in the darkness. But it is her face I see imprinted on my mind, those piercing emerald eyes.

With a groan, I throw off the covers and rise, slipping into a pair of sweatpants. The house is silent, only the rhythmic ticking of the clock and the whisper of my bare feet on the floorboards breaking the stillness.

Resigned to the wakeful silence, I venture toward the kitchen, a quiet oasis of light in the darkness, only to encounter Lexie emerging from her room, a shared understanding reflected in the softness of our exchanged smiles.

Her hair tumbles loose around her shoulders in a riot of unruly curls, a vision in a faded short skirt and a threadbare tank top that does little to conceal her form.

Our gazes lock, a current of longing and heat flowing between us. I hesitate, torn between restraint and desire, my body already responding to her nearness.

"Couldn't sleep either?" Her voice is a husky caress, shattering what remains of my resolve.

I shake my head, swallowing against the sudden dryness in my throat. "No, I was going to try and get something to drink and see if that helped."

A slow, soft smile curves her lips. "Can I join you?"

Two words, a simple admission, yet they ignite a fire in my blood, setting my pulse racing. I take a step toward her, drawn like a moth to flame. “You can do more than that.”

I reach for her just as she gasps, and our lips meet in a kiss of longing and promise. Our kiss deepens, an exploration fueled by passion and need. I pull her against me, her curves molding to the hard planes of my body as if made to fit there.

A soft moan escapes her, the sound igniting my desire even more. I lift her into my arms, her legs wrapping around my waist as I carry her down the hall to my study.

The room is dimly lit by the moonlight spilling through the windows. I set her on her feet, and delight myself at her silent presence. She is so shy, but only with words. Her actions show she wants to explore more.

Her eyes avoid me, and I chuckle watching as she wanders the space, trailing a hand along the spines of books and the polished wood of my desk.

When she faces me again, her eyes are luminous in the shadows, a silent invitation I am powerless to refuse. I close the distance between us in three swift strides, claiming her lips once more.

My hands roam beneath the thin fabric of her top, fingertips skimming over silken skin. She arches into my touch with a gasp, her head falling back to grant me access to the graceful column of her throat.

I trail kisses along the rapid pulse at her neck, savoring her soft sounds of pleasure. Her hands glide under my shirt, nails raking lightly down my abs. I groan against her skin, desire coiling hot and tight within me.

She tugs at my shirt, an unspoken demand I hasten to fulfill. I pull the garment over my head and toss it aside before lifting her onto the desk.

Her legs part for me as I step between them, her gaze locking with mine. I slide my hands beneath the hem of her skirt, inching the fabric up and over her hips.

She's bare beneath, glistening and ready. Heat floods my veins at the sight, lust and longing warring for dominance. I have never wanted anything as much as I want this woman. And now, she is mine for the taking. At least for tonight. Tomorrow, I might regret this.

I lead her to my desk, where I imagined her not long ago, and my thoughts race to that hot image engraved in my brain. Oh, this is so much better. I make her lean back and she rests on her elbows, watching me spread her legs, spread her intimate lips, and we lock eyes as I start to lick her.

A guttural moan escapes her as my tongue glides through her slick folds. Her taste is intoxicating, sweet and tangy and utterly addictive. I lap at her eagerly, relishing each shuddering gasp and restless squirm. I want to fuck her so badly.

Her fingers tangle in my hair, alternately clutching and guiding. I focus my attention on the swollen nub of her clit, circling and sucking until she cries out. Her back arches off the desk, hips bucking against my mouth.

I feel her tremble as I play with her clit, she shudders as she is close, and I sink two fingers into her drenched channel. Her inner walls grip me tight, pulsating around my fingers as I stroke that sensitive spot within.

She shatters with a sharp cry, coming undone beneath my touch. I work her through the aftershocks, gentling my caresses until her tremors subside.

Only then do I raise my head, watching in rapt fascination as her chest heaves with each ragged breath. Her gaze finds mine, eyes glazed and lips parted.

At this moment, I know I will never get enough of this woman. She has ruined me for any other, claimed my body and mind without even trying. And I cannot find it within myself to care.

"You're exquisite," I rasp, the words torn from me like a confession. She blinks up at me, a flush staining her cheeks. But she does not look away.

Her fingers trace my jaw, a feather-light caress that steals my breath. "So are you," she whispers. The words, so simple, take me by surprise. It is the first time she voices things like this.

My heart stutters at her quiet admission, a surge of tenderness threatening to overwhelm me. I cradle her face in my hands, searching her eyes. "You make me want to do bad things to your body," I confess, and the confession surprises even me.

“Bad things?” She asks with trembling lips.

Will she be able to take my dominant side? My dark lust? Will that break her? “Yes, bad things… I want to fuck you and break you, then make love to you and put your pieces back together. I want you to see the light when you cum for me, and I want you to find the darkness in you when you please me after.”

Her widened eyes scare me and haunt me. I want her to consent to this, I need her to understand how much I crave for her and how much she will have to sacrifice if she accepts this, and for a long eternity of seconds, I am afraid she is going to run and tell Natasha all about this.

But she surprises me and pleases me with blushed cheeks and a smile. “Will you have patience with me?”

The dark smile on my lips says it all. “All the patience in the world.”

What a dangerous but worthy game, I will enjoy teaching her and claiming her each night. I have an idea that I will never have enough of her.