Madman’s Method: Madman Duet Book One

by Mason, V. F.

  “You little scoundrel.” James’s footsteps move closer, and the twins tangle their fingers with mine before we run away, giggling like crazy further into the garden.

  The sound of the car pulling up brings me back to the present, and I see a woman emerging from the driver seat to quickly open the passenger door for me while nodding at Eudard. “I came as soon as I could.”

  “The timing is perfect, Liza.” Probably reading the question on my face, he explains. “She’s my driver. She’ll take you home.” And without further ado, he pushes me into the car, closes the door, and Liza jumps behind the wheel, speeding out of the Browns’ mansion.

  Only midway to my house, the haze clears along with my mind, leaving only one thought reeling there.

  Why did Eudard protect me from them, if he ensured all of them lived peacefully all these years?

  Chapter Ten

  “Regret is a dangerous emotion. If we give it enough power, it has the ability to cast a shadow on our whole life, while it mutters in our ear, ‘What if, what if, what if….”

  Mom always warned me to avoid regrets, because they bring nothing good. They only ruin wonderful moments, making us think that what we have or the choices we made could have been different.

  I’ve experienced a lot of regrets in this world.

  But the biggest one?

  Having a big sense of loyalty.

  Maybe then, all my nightmares could have been avoided.

  Maybe then, my family would have been safe.

  Maybe then, hate wouldn’t become my driving force.

  From the memories of Arianna Griffin….

  He fists my hair, angling my head, and I have no choice but to arch, giving him access to my neck as he skims his lips over it, gliding his tongue on my heated skin.

  My hands lock behind his neck, pressing closer to him as desire I’ve never known before spreads through me, heating up my blood and needing things I’m not familiar with.

  He travels up, nipping my chin before he bites on my lower lip, tugging it, and I gasp at the sting of pain shooting through me, but it’s instantly replaced with pleasure when he soothes it with his tongue. His mouth captures mine, and our tongues tangle in a toe-curling kiss that stakes an invisible claim on me.

  His hands slide to my waist, and he hikes me up, my legs wrapping around him while he takes us where I don’t feel anything but him.

  Even if I hate him the most in this world, my body belongs to him in this moment while my heart belongs to his twin.

  I hear his boots thumping on the wooden floor that indicates we are inside the cabin once more. He kicks the door shut, and that’s what snaps me out of the haze he wove around me.

  Gasping into his mouth, I gulp for breath but push him away, wiggling in his hold, and to my surprise, he instantly lets me go, putting me back on the floor and steadying me when I sway a little.

  Touching my lips with the tips of my fingers, we stare at one another as his jaw tics and his body vibrates with heat. I try to block out the buzzing of my own body that only wants to fly back into his arms.

  Oh my God.

  What are these emotions anyway?

  It’s like my skin is on fire and the slightest touch of my clothing is an offense to my sanity. “What are you doing?” I ask him, stepping back a little, and he moves forward, his shadow sliding on the walls created by the candlelight.

  “I want you,” he says instead, and the now familiar shot of desire zips through me, my breath hitching in my throat, but I shake my head, not wanting to succumb to it.

  It’s wrong.

  So wrong.

  “I’m not in love with you,” I tell him, trying to use it as my defense, but besides a flash of hurt crossing his face, he gives me no reaction.

  Instead, he takes a step closer, while I retreat again, only to stop abruptly when the back of my knees hit the side of the couch. “Tell me you don’t want it.” His voice drops a few octaves, sending shivers down my spine when he shifts even closer, his masculine scent filling my nostrils, awakening every hair on my body.

  Licking my dry lips to give him the words, I open my mouth, but no sound comes. Instead, all I can think about is the vein pulsing on his neck that I desperately want to suck on and the need to feel the flex of those rigid muscles as I press myself against his chest. His arms have the power to vanish all my fears and thoughts, leaving only pulsing desire within me.

  And that’s scary and unexplainable.

  “I don’t—” I begin, leaning back as he steps closer, the tips of his boots touching my sneakers while his green eyes consume me whole, awaiting continuation of my sentence. “I—” I will myself to think how much I don’t like him or know him, and how stupid it is to sleep with a guy I don't know.

  Eudard’s mouth curves in a half smile and he raises his hand, cups my cheek, his thumb rubbing my skin while he murmurs, “Easy there, ice princess.” Then he slides his hand to my neck where he can no doubt feel my pulse beating wildly. I’m awaiting his next move, but then he snatches his touch away. “I never take what’s not willingly given.” My brows furrow at those words, because they seem to have a hidden meaning, but my doubts quickly vanish when I see him pull away from me, ready to leave me alone.

  And forever disappear into this cold shell of his?

  Before it even registers in my mind, I extend my hand to him, whispering, “Don’t.”

  He is at my side in a flash, tangling his fingers in my hair, bringing us closer. “Say it,” he orders, his breath fanning my cheek while my hands fist his shirt. “Admit it and I’m yours.”

  And even though I know this is a mistake of epic proportions, because only a few hours ago I hated this guy with my very being, I can’t deny my desire anymore.

  Just for a moment in time, I yearn to know what it’s like to belong to him. “I want this. I want—” I gasp into his lips, but he stays unmovable, tension radiating from him. “—you.”

  His hold on me tightens as he tilts my head back so our gazes clash, our lips brushing against each other as he asks, “And what’s my name?”

  Does he think I confuse him with someone else?

  The idea alone is laughable, because even his twin doesn't come close to the intensity he ignites in me. “Eudard.” And that’s all I manage to whisper, because with a groan he covers my mouth with his, aiming straight for my lips, biting them painfully and pushing his tongue inside, tasting me in a way I find unexpected.

  It’s like kissing me is his single-minded goal.

  “Eudard,” I whisper again while my hands slide up his shoulders, but he just growls against my mouth and places his fingers on my back, finding the zipper of my strapless dress. Pulling it down, the dress slowly falls, the fabric sliding over my heated body, and I moan at the sensations.

  His hands travel from the base of my spine up, until he reaches my nape, breaking goose bumps on my skin. He allows the dress to drop to my feet, my nipples pressed to his covered chest.

  My cheeks heat up, and I can feel the blush spreading through my body, probably making me red as a lobster.

  I’ve never been naked in front of anyone before.

  His lips are once again on mine, giving me wet, raw, and all-consuming needy kisses that banish all thoughts of modesty and ignites my blood even more.

  His palms land on my ass and he hikes me up, so I wrap my legs around his waist, groaning when his hard-on pushes against my panty-covered core.

  Wrong, wrong, wrong.

  But no matter how much those words echo in my mind, it doesn't stop me from experiencing this with him tonight.

  “You smell so fucking good,” he says against my neck, sucking on the skin lightly and tearing a moan from me while I press against him harder, longing to feel him as close as possible to me, because his desire keeps me grounded in the moment.

  My fingers tunnel in his black locks and I push his head back, wanting to see his expression. What I find there sucks the air from my lungs.

 
“You are mine.” His voice turns stoic when he halts in the middle of the cabin, still holding me, but catches my gaze, expecting an answer while I blink.

  Am I his? What would it be like to completely belong to this guy whose green eyes shine vividly while he studies me like a hunter examining his prey?

  But try as I might, I can’t give him the words he needs to hear and settle for “Tonight.”

  He tugs at my hair, sending little prickles of pain through me, and demands, “Always.”

  I want to shout at him that he is insane if he thinks anyone talks like this, especially during the first time, but once again, he doesn't give me the chance to do that. He shuts me up with a kiss, making all logical thoughts fly out of my head, and when he kneels with me still in his arms, my eyes snap open.

  He’s brought us to the rug right in the middle, next to the unlit fireplace.

  Eudard places me down gently, and I lie on my back, flushing under his stare and putting my arms over my breasts, but he growls, gently pulling them away. “Don’t hide yourself from me.” Even though he says it harshly, there is softness to his voice that soothes the slight panic inside me, so I listen to him, opening myself up to him, basking in his desire for me.

  Still kneeling, he tugs on the back of his T-shirt and takes it off quickly, tossing it away and giving me the perfect view of his six-pack. But then my brows furrow, a shocked gasp slipping past my lips when I notice several deep, angry red scars across his chest as if someone had used a knife on him.

  Or a sword?

  Sitting up, I want to touch him but pause midair, raising my eyes to him. He swallows, his Adam’s apple bobbing, and grips my hand in his, placing it on him. “It doesn't hurt anymore.” He must read the question in my mind.

  Rubbing my fingers gently over them, I can’t comprehend who would have done something like this to him. The scars are deep and jagged, like someone just slashed his skin with no care in the world. “Who did this?” My question is met with silence, but a suspicion has me sliding my hand to his back, rubbing my fingers over his skin, and I detect scars there too. “Even here,” I whisper, tears forming in my eyes at the prospect of the pain he had to experience, and I lean forward, kissing the ragged skin softly, hoping to soothe even the phantom pain he might feel.

  His raspy breath fills the space between us, something akin to gratitude flashing across his face before my lips slide up to his collarbone where an exceptionally deep scar lies, reminding me of a burned imprint. I move to his neck covered in various tattoos, biting on the underside of his chin before I lick a path to his lips, dipping into his mouth when he fists my hair. He lifts me onto my knees as our mouths meet leisurely, a slow kiss tangling our tongues together. My fingers dig into his shoulder while I rub against him, moaning at the pleasure spreading through me.

  In one smooth move, he eases me onto my back, settling between my legs while we continue to kiss. Our hands lace together, coming to rest on either side of my head, and I push into him, needing to be as close as possible.

  My lungs burn, begging for oxygen, and I gulp for air while he sucks on the skin between my shoulder and neck, leaving a wet trail in his wake.

  This deep craving slowly builds inside me, my core aching so much that I roll my hips a little, seeking a friction I can barely find. “You turn me into a madman,” he murmurs against my heated skin, shifting lower to bite on my chin, piercing the skin, and I gasp at the sting. “Drive me insane with your every move.” His lips travel to my neck, breathing in my scent, and I arch my back, giving him easy access. Pleasure spasms through me when he says harshly, “Haunt me with your violet eyes.” He licks my collarbone, feasting on the skin, and for sure leaving hickeys all over me.

  I’m beyond any common sense or decency. I crave his imprint on me so I can forever memorize it and this moment of insanity that makes my mind spin.

  His thumb brushes over my hard nipple, and he tweaks it. But before I can react, his hot breath envelops it, and he sucks it into his mouth, tearing a moan from my throat as both my hands lace in his hair.

  I’m torn, facing the dilemma of a lifetime, while my mind burns, a hazy blur cascading down on me and holding me prisoner.

  I want to push him away while the sensations spiral through me and leave me on the brink of something unknown to me, but at the same time, I want him to continue the torture.

  He plays with my nipple with his tongue and then shifts to the other one, lavishing it with attention while his hand travels lower, sliding over my stomach and reaching the edge of my panties. “Eudard,” I beg, and he immediately complies, slipping his fingers under the fabric and brushing over my clit right before he cups my core, pressing on the nub with the heel of his palm.

  I cry out, hot waves washing over me, but his husky voice surrounds me, grounding me. “You are so beautiful, Arianna,” he says in awe, letting go of my nipple with one long lick. The air brushes against them, breaking goose bumps all over my skin and only highlighting my need for him.

  If the rest is as good at this, then no wonder all the girls brag about going on dates with their boyfriends.

  My hips jerk up, but his other hand holds me still, while he continues his journey over my body, biting and sucking on my stomach while raspy breaths escape me. I fist the rug, uncaring about the dust around me, needing to hold on to something.

  He drives me out of my mind, introducing me to sensations I never knew existed. In theory, I knew all there was about sex, but in reality?

  Nothing compares to experiencing it for the very first time with the guy who—

  No, I can't go there. Can't acknowledge it. So instead, I close my eyes and breathe heavily, awaiting his next move.

  I feel him shoulder my legs apart, settling between them. Heat surrounds my pussy right before he opens me up and delves his tongue inside. My gasp reverberates off the walls while my skin vibrates from the electricity fueling my blood.

  He presses it in and out, scooping my wetness before trailing his tongue over my sensitive skin, nipping on it. His light scruff scratches my skin and adds to the sensations spreading through me and highlighting my desire for him to continue.

  Eudard’s fingers dig into my ass, lifting me higher to his mouth as he continues to feast on me, but at the same time adding his fingers—one, two, three—stretching me so much I whine and beg, not used to such penetration.

  Where did he learn such stuff anyway?

  Pushing away the irrational jealous awakening of the green-eyed monster who is ready to tear apart anyone who has touched him before me, it takes me a moment to register his question in my mind. “Who is having you like this, Arianna?” he asks between licks, biting on my clit, then pressing it with his tongue. I put my heels on his back, not caring that my sneakers probably poke him painfully. I move my hands to his neck, scratching his skin while my body hums with desire and need.

  “You,” I murmur back, licking my lips and arching my back, seeking his touch while the sweat slides down my skin. “Eudard,” I add, guessing he needs the confirmation.

  As if I can think about anyone but him in this moment. He turns me into a sex-craving maniac who hungers for him despite all warnings not to.

  He rewards me with a longer lick, gliding his tongue between my folds and praising me. “Good girl. My girl.” Then he returns to lapping and growling against me.

  My toes curl, and a gasp slips past me.

  Close—so, so close to reaching the needed….

  He shifts to the inside of my thigh, licking my wetness from my skin, and I whimper, annoyance nipping at me. “Eudard, don’t.” Why must he torture me?

  He’s won already. Can't he just give me what our bodies demand?

  But he shakes his head and slides his tongue inside again, while his thumb brushes over my slit.

  I feel like someone has dumped me on hot coals at the same time as soft feathers trail over me, amplifying all my senses and bringing me to the edge of much-wanted relief only to snap me back
and repeat the torture again.

  Eudard, it seems, can't get enough of me, paying so much attention to me as if he is finally allowed to fully express it.

  In a way, it’s true and—

  No!

  Those thoughts and reality have no place between us right now.

  Finally, I hear a zipper being lowered and snap my eyes wide open to see him kneeling, naked, with a ripped foil packet in hand and his hard-on standing at attention.

  My eyes widen at this, and the familiar rage comes full force as apparently he is ready for such action at any moment with anyone. My wince is hard to cover up. So much for feeling special on my first everything.

  He is not yours.

  “Stop it,” he orders, and my gaze jerks back to him. “I’m protecting you.” That’s all the explanation I get before my eyes travel lower, and I gulp at the huge thing with the purple head and precum leaking out of it, the rigid length showcasing every vein under the tight skin. The sudden urge to trace my tongue over it and find out what he tastes like hits me hard, blocking other thoughts out. “Later, Arianna, you’ll learn all there is about sucking my dick, but right now, I’m too close to give in.” His words are crude and dirty, yet excitement flushes inside me and I lick my lips, yearning for it.

  Eudard groans, fisting his cock, and swipes his thumb over the head, bringing it to my mouth. Without thinking, I lick it, oddly enjoying the bitter taste, but he doesn’t give me time to dwell on it, as he once again pushes me to my back. He settles between my legs, fisting my hair and smashing our lips together while our combined taste drive me insane, igniting the desire more. I hunger to know what it is like to give him the same attention he has shown me.

  “I’m afraid,” I whisper the words, voicing my fears that become apparent since he is about to take my virginity. And for the first time, I see gentleness in his eyes as his gaze focuses on me and he caresses my cheek. “I’ve never done this before.” I probably point out the obvious, but I need to say the words out loud.