“I’m not taking back that last statement.” I speak calmly, letting her know what I want. None of her concerns matter. They’ve never mattered to me.
“Of course you’re not.”
“Did you miss me?” I question her with the only thing that is of concern.
“Yes.”
“Do you want me now?” I ask her and she nods, her chest rising higher with a deeper breath. “Then tell me the truth. Why are you trying to leave me again?” I ask her, steadying her as she stares up at me with wide eyes.
She breathes out her answer like it’s the only truth she’s ever known. “You make me feel like I should run.”
“Don’t run tonight.”
Sophie’s already shaking her head, her eyes closed tight as she gets ready to bite back with another argument, another reason we shouldn’t get together tonight. Another reason she shouldn’t be mine. I can already see it.
That’s not the girl I want tonight. We can fight tomorrow. Tonight I only want her screaming in pleasure. I miss her too much. I need her too much.
She was never good at fighting after I fucked her. She just needs to remember that.
My hands tangle in her hair as I crash my lips against hers. The electricity, the sparks that flew with just her hand on mine earlier intensify.
At first she’s stiff, her small hands nearly pushing against my chest, but then she moans, parting her lips and running her fingertips up to my neck, pulling me closer to her as I slip my tongue between the seam of her soft lips.
Her mouth is warm and inviting as she presses her body against mine, and I have to groan. It comes from deep inside of me. I haven’t felt like this in years. This primal need to get lost in bed with her.
Her nails scratch down my neck softly, making me that much harder for her. With her breasts pressed against my chest, she lolls her head back to breathe.
My eyes open slowly, focused on her swollen lips and her half-lidded eyes.
“Let me tell you what I want,” I say, barely keeping my voice even. I can feel eyes on us and I know some of them belong to my employees, but they can mind their own fucking business.
My statement brings Sophie back to the present from wherever she’s wandered. She blinks away the desire from her eyes and nods slightly. The intensity still crackles between us as I tell her, “I want you to come home with me.”
“That’s a bad idea,” she answers in merely a whisper. Her eyes reach mine and she tells me, “You’re a bad idea.”
“You’ve called me worse,” I answer her and lean down just slightly, enough so I can brush my lips against hers.
She’s the one who kisses me this time as I pull away, getting up on her tiptoes to steal a quick but deep kiss. Both of my arms wrap around her and I lower my forehead to hers, not breaking her gaze.
She has the upper hand here, but I know it will change soon. It can’t change soon enough.
“We can go back to your place.” The words are sinful on her lips.
“Good. We’re going to get one thing out of the way in the cab ride. Finish your drink; you’re going to need it.”
Chapter 4
Sophie
Seven years ago
“I’ve never been with anyone,” I tell Madox afterward. My insecurities destroy all the little bits of happiness I just felt last night.
“I like that,” is all Madox responds before brushing the hair from my cheek and then kissing me again. He does it in a way where I feel his touch everywhere. From his lips pressed against mine, to his warmth flowing down my skin. And then even lower.
He doesn’t say anything else, but he keeps kissing me. Maybe I should ask more questions, but I’m afraid of the answers.
I don’t know what I am to him. I know I don’t want this to change though. It can’t last, but I don’t want it to change.
Today
I wasn’t going to down the drink Madox ordered, but fuck it. One more isn’t going to push me over the edge. Besides, I’m with Madox and whenever I’m with him, there is no edge. All I do is free fall when I’m with him.
All my best-laid plans of avoiding him are shot to hell.
I have to remind myself that it’s still a fresh start for me, and I’m still focusing on my career, even if I lose my mind and do stupid things whenever I get within five feet of this man.
By the time Madox opens the cab door for me and the night air is blowing against my face, the alcohol is humming in my blood, just like my desire for him to use me.
Maybe it’s odd, but I feel like I deserve to be used by him, like it’s been a long time coming.