Brightly Burning Bridges: A Bully Romance (Kings of Capital)

by Ivy Wild

  Carter considered the woman in front of him. He’d been irritated that their meeting earlier had been interrupted, and he had been so intent on getting back to her, that he’d forgotten what exactly he had wanted to ask her.

  Her big blue eyes finally met his and he saw a fierceness in them that he rarely saw in the women he encountered. She was clearly not a local; perhaps a tourist? Either way, he would only be in town for a few weeks at the most before returning to the city.

  Lex met the man’s gaze this time, the alcohol in her system bolstering her courage. In a bold move, she reached her hand up to brush back a piece of his hair that had fallen down. Up close to him like this, she noticed a jagged scar traveling down the right side of his face. Her fingers traced it gently and the man’s gaze on her intensified.

  He waited for her to ask about it, it was usually the first thing women wanted to know about him if they didn’t already know his position. How did he get it? Did it still hurt? How old was he? He stuck to the same bullshit story every time they asked. Carter was a private person and he wasn’t about to share that specific memory with anybody.

  But this girl surprised him. She pulled her hand back, letting it rest on his knee, her thumb rubbing a lazy circle against the denim. Her attitude had flipped from flustered and embarrassed before to a cool sense of confidence now. She continued to meet his gaze, but didn’t say a thing about his scar, instead waiting for him to ask his initial question.

  He made up his mind at that moment; he wanted this woman and by the way she was looking at him, and had been looking at him all night, she wanted him too. “I just wanted to introduce myself,” he said, still holding her gaze. “Carter Ross,” he said, placing his hand atop hers.

  “Lex Evanston,” she replied, purposefully scrambling her last name.

  “Well, Ms. Evanston,” he said in his deep baritone, his own hand rubbing circles against her wrist and causing her to shiver slightly. “Do you have any plans this evening?”

  Lex knew immediately what this man wanted from her with that question. Perhaps it had been what he had meant to propose to her when he first sat next to her at the bar. The more logical side of her began to run through all of the bad scenarios that could result, starting at most severe with murder and working its way down to him being a disappointment in bed. But the other side, the side that had given her the courage to start this new life, the side that had given her the courage to speak to him in the first place, and incidentally, the side that was currently benefiting from a few drinks, whispered, “just give in.”

  Lex looked him over. His gaze was still fixated on her. Of all the men she had met, Carter Ross looked like he would be incredibly discrete. Having made up her mind, she cocked her head to one side, cast him a small smile and replied, “I’m wide open.”

  The tension increased between them and it felt like ages as she waited for his reply. “You’re not from here, are you?” he asked her.

  He needed this last answer before making up his own mind on how this evening was going to play out. Carter couldn’t deny wanting this woman more than he cared to admit, but he wasn’t about to jeopardize his ability to get away from the city if things with her went sour. If she said she was moving to the area or something like that, he’d have to cut his losses.

  Lex shook her head. “No,” she replied simply, deciding not to exchange any further details. She didn’t want details about his life either. The only thing Lex truly wanted from this man was the release she knew he could give her. His lips lifted. Not into a smile; this man didn’t look like he did that often, but there was a look of contentment on his face.

  Carter closed his eyes briefly, her answer like music to his ears. He stood, keeping his hand wrapped around hers. “Then, can I give you a tour?” he asked smoothly.

  Lex nodded. “I’d love that.” She stood, his hand leading her towards the resort’s exit through the rotating doors.

  Carter turned towards the valet kiosk. “Where’s Michael?” he asked the attendant on duty.

  The youth cowered a bit at his commanding tone. “He’s gone for the evening,” the teenager responded, his voice cracking just the slightest. Lex looked up to see a scowl on Carter’s face and she held back a smile; it really did fit him, just as she had guessed. “I’d be happy to get the car for you, sir,” the attendant continued, obviously trying his best.

  Carter turned, clapping the kid on the shoulder in a friendly gesture. The boy flinched anyways. “No offense, but Michael’s the only one I trust with my cars. Space number?” Carter asked, holding his hand out for the key.

  “Twenty-seven,” the valet responded, placing the key in his palm.

  “Be right back,” Carter said, almost to both of them, as he jogged towards the car.

  The teenager looked at Lex and she shook her head. “Don’t ask me,” she replied quickly, getting ahead of the question. “No clue why Michael’s so special.” The boy sighed, a bit defeated. “I wouldn’t worry about it,” Lex added, trying to cheer him up. He smiled at her before both of them were startled by the sound of an engine starting.

  Lex couldn’t help but smile. Alfas were so flashy. Carter pulled the car around, this time with the top down, and put it in park before getting out to open the door for Lex. As she got into the car, she noticed him palm the kid a twenty-dollar bill.

  Carter closed the car door behind his date and walked around the back. He had to admit that he loved the way the brunette looked in his car. Opening the driver side, he climbed in himself before closing it.

  “I love how your driver side door opens and closes,” she said over the rumble of the engine.

  Carter looked at her in confusion. She laughed. “My Alfa’s from the eighties. Door handle broke years ago. I have to hop over the side to get in and out.”

  Carter’s eyebrows lifted slightly before he buckled his seatbelt. Lex did the same and he shook his head. “I’m fairly certain that means your car isn’t road legal.”

  “Oo. That just makes it sound like I drive a test car,” Lex giggled.

  In what Lex presumed was an uncharacteristic move for Carter Ross, he winked at her before turning his attention to the road.

  Carter put the car in drive and pulled away from the resort quickly. The night air felt amazing on Lex’s skin and she breathed it in as they drove down the street. There was a fair amount of people out at this time of night so it took them some time to get out of the commercial area.

  Lex was tempted to ask him where they were going, but she resisted. Tonight was all about learning to let go and just let things happen. For years, she always had to be the one in control, always had to be the one making decisions. For just one night, she’d give that power to someone else.

  She turned to look at the man next to her. He’d been silent this whole time but she didn’t mind that. Besides, it was a comfortable silence and it seemed to fit his personality. He caught her eye as they stopped at a light and turned to hold her gaze. She lifted the corner of her lips to give him a small smile. He didn’t smile back but she could see the desire for her in his eyes.

  Her body began to heat up involuntarily and she found herself breaking eye contact. The light turned green above them and Lex felt herself shift back in the seat as he took off down the open stretch of road. She laughed as he stretched each gear change out, letting the car’s engine growl before each shift. Looking out her side of the car, she could see the bay as they followed a somewhat winding road along the shore, the car handling the twists and turns beautifully.

  He turned off the main street and parked the car in the small gravel lot. As the car’s lights dimmed, Lex looked up. In the black of the night, she could see the stars so brilliantly. Carter came around to her side to open the door for her. “Come on,” he said, his baritone voice soft as he offered her a hand.

  “You know,” she said, placing her hand in his, “some women might think you were trying to kidnap them, taking them out into the wilderness like this.”
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  Carter pulled with a bit more strength than she was expecting and she went tumbling into his chest. He caught her, his chest heaving with the smallest of chuckles as he closed the door behind her. “Kidnapping’s not really my thing,” he said, still hugging her tightly with one arm. “I prefer a woman’s moans to their screams.” Lex shivered at his words. “Come on,” he said, untangling himself from her but still holding onto her hand gently. “I want to show you something.”

  He pulled a small flashlight out of his back pocket and guided their steps along a small path. Lex could smell the salt air nearby but wasn’t exactly sure whether they were close to the bay or not. Suddenly, they broke through the tree line, the water lapping gently against the shore a few feet from where they stood.

  “Over here.” Carter led her to a lone covered shelter with an old picnic table underneath. He took a seat on the table, his feet resting on the bench and helped Lex up as she followed his lead. The two sat in silence as they looked out over the water. The stars reflected off the bay beautifully, almost making it look like there were two night skies.

  “This has always been a favorite place of mine,” Carter admitted. “No one ever comes out here.” He was surprised at himself for bringing a woman here. He never usually liked to share intimate things about himself with others, but for some reason, he’d found himself driving to this spot.

  Lex couldn’t quite figure Carter out. He had pursued her throughout the evening and now had brought her to a favorite place of his, yet he hadn’t asked her anything about herself or what brought her here. His demeanor towards her lacked warmth, but at the same time, wasn’t cold. Her hand moved over to his leg gingerly, grazing his thigh, waiting for his reaction. “It’s beautiful,” Lex breathed out.

  Carter turned to look at her, his hand involuntarily moving to cup her face gently. He normally wouldn’t have made such a bold move so quickly, but he found he had very little control when it came to this woman. “Like you.”

  Had anyone else said it, the line would have sounded corny. But coming from him, it had her instantly aroused. Carter must have caught on, because he moved forward, tugging gently on her neck, encouraging her to meet him in the middle. His lips finally pressed against hers and Lex couldn’t help but moan in response.

  Carter must have taken that as a sign because he moved closer to her before wrapping an arm around her body, hugging her to his form. She gasped as his one hand traveled south to squeeze her ass and he used the opportunity to push his tongue into her mouth.

  He kissed her with skill, tangling his tongue around hers as she let another moan of pleasure escape. His other hand left her face to travel down slowly, first to her neck, then her collarbone before finally grazing over her breasts with the softest of touches.

  He squeezed the mound gently, as if testing her response. Lex couldn’t help but pull back from their kiss to gasp, “God yes.” Carter lifted his lips in a bit of a smug smile, the knowledge that he could so easily get to this woman a huge turn on for him, as well. His lips moved to her neck where he began to suck the skin there.

  Lex knew she should try and stop him, but it felt too good to resist. Suddenly, she felt herself being moved as he lifted her up so that she was now facing him, straddling his lap. With her legs spread, her skirt lifted so that her lace-covered core could be seen pressing against his jeans.

  She moved back in to kiss him, her own hands wrapping around the back of his neck as she rocked her hips against him. He growled in response, the sound causing heat to instantly pool between Lex’s legs. “Fuck, your body,” he groaned, his words trailing off as Lex continued to move against him.

  His hands gripped the bottom of her dress, lifting it over her head. Lex raised her arms so he could remove it, pulling her hair out of its bun in the process. Her nipples pebbled slightly at being exposed to the night air and Carter moved in to capture one with his mouth. His tongue drew tight circles around the peak as Lex threw her head back with a moan. Strong fingers twisted into her hair, pulling on it gently. The pinpricks against her scalp sent shivers straight to her core as she cursed from the pleasure of it all.

  Carter pulled a bit harder, moving the woman in his arms like a doll. She arched her back further to accommodate his demands and he smirked as her chest pushed out. Letting go of her hair, she nearly fell backward but his strong arm wrapped around her as he continued to explore her breasts with his tongue.

  Tired of being the only one lacking clothes, Lex began to tug at his black tee. Carter pulled back briefly enough to allow her to pull it up and over his head. She sighed, her hands instantly running along the ridges of his sculpted body. As she moved her hands over his body, she noticed several scars marred his skin.

  Whatever thoughts she had blanked as Carter’s fingers moved up her spread thigh to touch her most sensitive area. “Fuck,” she breathed out as his fingers danced atop the lace.

  “You like that?” he asked in a hushed voice as his thumb started to press against her clit.

  “God yes,” she moaned, trying to push her body into his touch.

  “You want more, don’t you?” his voice a little louder, turning Lex on that much more. She moaned in response.

  His fingers reached underneath the lace, grazing her dripping folds just barely. Suddenly, his hand jerked and the lace pulled against her before splitting into two. Lex gasped in shock but quickly found herself out of breath as his fingers moved against her apex. “So fucking wet,” he whispered.

  Slowly, one digit began to circle her entrance before slipping inside. Lex moaned in response. His fingers pulled back slightly and she whimpered as she tried to press her core back into his touch. “Do you like it when I stir up your wet cunt?” he asked her, his voice deep, his tone demanding.

  Lex’s core clenched involuntarily at the crudeness of his words. She’d never known herself to be turned on by this type of thing. Then again, she’d never known herself to be this turned on by any of her previous lovers ever.

  “I want your answer.” His voice was forceful.

  “Yes,” Lex managed to groan.

  “Yes, what?” A second finger slipped inside, stretching her channel and making her breathing falter.

  “I like your fingers inside me,” she whispered.

  A satisfied smirk rested on Carter’s face before he spoke. “Good,” he said, his tone even. His fingers withdrew and Lex felt herself being lifted into the air as he stood. He brought her to the end of the table and laid her down. Her feet touched the tabletop as he stood between her legs. The sight of him standing there, his sculpted body on display and his eyes heavy with desire, had Lex about ready to climax.

  “Fuck, I can’t wait to taste you,” he said before kneeling down before her.

  She could feel his hot breath against her skin first before he dragged his warm tongue the entire length of her slit. “Fuck,” she moaned, her hands moving to hold her breasts and her head falling back.

  Carter didn’t come up for air. Instead, he worked her into a frenzy, alternating between licking, sucking, swirling and biting. His digits reentered her and within two strokes, she came. Throwing her head back, the sounds of passion tumbled out of her mouth as warmth spread through her body like crashing waves.

  Carter groaned at the sight of the woman coming undone before him. She laid there panting, her chest heaving and her breasts moving slightly with each breath. Carter didn’t say anything. Instead, he climbed up onto the table to take a seat. “Come here,” he directed and she complied. His legs were spread wide and she sat on the bench between them.

  Carter leaned back with his hands on the table and Lex knew what it was he wanted of her. She reached forward and within seconds, had him free from the confines of his dark jeans. His cock was beautiful, with a thick vein running down its length. It felt heavy in her hand and she didn’t hesitate to start pumping it.

  Carter watched her with rapt attention as she handled his tool. He reached his hand forward to grab her ch
in gently. Her movements faltered and she brought her chin up just the slightest bit. His thumb toyed with her bottom lip. “These lips are going to look amazing around my cock.”

  Heat pooled in Lex’s core and she rubbed her legs together involuntarily at his words. His hand released her before resting on the back of her neck and pulling her forward. She opened her mouth to accommodate his size and took him in. He groaned, his head dropping back as she moved her tongue against his shaft.

  The sight of those pouty pink lips stretched wide and sliding up and down his member had Carter ready to come sooner than he’d like. He reached a hand down to fondle one of her breasts, the nipple stiff between his fingers. She began to take him in deeper and he couldn’t help the praises that started tumbling out of his mouth.

  “Fuck that feels good,” he groaned as her tongue circled his crown before she took his entire length back into her mouth. At the deepest part, Lex moaned, the vibrations shooting through him and he came with a roar. His fingers tangled in her hair as his cock pulsed inside her mouth. She drank him down before sucking his rod clean as she lifted her head back up.

  Lex tucked him back inside his boxers, leaving his jeans still unzipped before she grabbed her dress next to her and threw it on over her head. Standing, she pulled her broken panties off her body and her eyes widened as Carter held his hand out for the material.

  “I’ll take that,” he said, his deep voice even and still an incredible turn on. Lex bit her lower lip but complied, handing the black lace over to him. He shifted slightly to push the panties into his back pocket before laying down on the table, his breathing still somewhat heavy. Lex laid beside him, careful not to touch him.