Manage My Heart (New Year New Me, #2)

by Colt, Shyla

  “Henceforth, Alby pushing you and Priscila together,” I guess.

  His hand tightens around the glass as he brings it to his lips. I watch his throat as he swallows, admiring the bob of his Adam’s apple. I have the strangest desire to lick it.

  “I’m offended he thought I’d fall for it. My work speaks for itself.”

  My stomach knots. “What are you going to do if Scott walks away from the merger?” Alby made it clear his promotion hinged on this.

  “I have to make sure that doesn’t happen.” He continues to sip his drink. “I’m done thinking about that for now. “

  “Fair enough.” I slip off the bed. “I need to look into the room debacle anyway.”

  His hand shoots out, and he wraps around my wrist. “I told them you’d be fine staying here for the rest of the week.”

  “What? Once out of necessity was fine, but an entire week is preposterous.”

  “I do love it when you use big words.” He smiles.

  “I’m serious.”

  He yanks, pulling my body to his. “So am I.” His large hand cups my ass, and I bite back a moan.

  “There’s no audience to perform for,” I force the words out.

  “I didn’t realize you were such a voyeur.” He massages my ass cheek. “Kinky.”

  “You know what I meant.” He nips his way down my throat, and my knees weaken.

  “I promised you the full experience. You don’t get to pick and choose.”

  “You’re pushing the boundaries.”

  “Trust me, sweet one, you can take it.” His tongue twirls around the pulse beat, thrumming a rhythm against my throat. “I actually think you need it.” He pushes his knee between my legs, grazing my core. “You’re wound so tight.” He nudges me again. “I should loosen you up.”

  I squeeze my thighs around him, and my pussy gushes.

  “Do you know I can feel your heat through our clothes? Are you going to leave a wet spot on Daddy’s leg?”

  His words have a drugging effect. Reason drifts away, and pleasure takes over. My hips move of their own accord.

  “That’s my good girl. Let Daddy make you feel good.”

  I never knew I had a daddy kink. Those words spilling from his lips, and the friction between my legs, send a jolt of energy straight to my swollen clit. I grip his soft T-shirt and lean back, rolling my hips.

  “Let me see how pretty you are when you come.” He tugs on my earlobe with his teeth.

  My breathing grows ragged. The tension in my belly increases. My breasts swell as my nipples strain against the lacy black fabric of my bra. The additional sensation has my head spinning. I’ve been far too intimately acquainted with my fingers for longer than I care to admit. His woodsy scent hits me like an aphrodisiac. His hands slide up to my hips. He helps me catch a rhythm. I drag back and forth, sliding because my panties are soaked. I muffle a moan.

  “No. I want to hear it all, sweet one. Let me hear how good I’m making you feel.”

  I release a strangled moan, and he pinches my nipple and tugs. Jerking, I come—hard—body quivering as I sag in relief.

  “So damn wet,” he growls, pressing my sensitive core into his leg. I rest my head against his chest, breathing hard. “Did you see what you did to my pants, sweet one?” I’m still twitching as he moves my body back and cups my neck, causing me to look down. The dark patch on his jeans makes me whimper. “I think we can do better than that.”

  “What?” I look up.

  He unbuttons the top of my jeans. “I think I can make you even wetter. Don’t you?”

  Tell him to stop. He skims the top of my panties, and my protests die in the wake of my need. The flames of the fire in my belly begin to rage once more. His big hand slides down into my pants, and he cups my mound. “These panties are done for.” He presses his thick fingers together, squeezing my slippery lips. Trailing a knuckle down my cleft, he teases me. Our eyes lock. He shoves the thin scrap of lace to the side. The feeling of his flesh on mine is intoxicating. My body is on fire, and his hazel eyes are a mirror of my own want. His thumb circles around my sensitive clit. The walls of my pussy contract, empty and hungry for more. Increasing the pressure, he rubs harder.

  “Close.”

  “You’re close?”

  “Y-Yes,” I whisper.

  He hums and slows down his strokes.

  “No,” I whine.

  “Shhh. It’s going to be worth it in the end, sweet one.” He continues to bring me close—circling, rubbing my hard clit between his slippery fingers, and backing off. I’m thrusting my hips in silent demand, and he chuckles.

  “You want to come?” he drawls seductively.

  “Yes.” I grit my teeth as my cheeks flame with embarrassment. I’ve never been treated like this.

  “Do it.” He circles fast, giving me the long-denied pressure, and something inside of me snaps. My inner walls spasm, and my body shakes as I reach my pinnacle. I gush, screaming as light explodes behind my eyelids.

  “That’s my good girl.” His praise prolongs my pleasure as his touch gentles, and he strokes me down from my high.

  This is spiraling out of control. I need to put a stop to it or come clean. How can I tell him that all this is more than pretense? His lips brush my forehead, and I relax into his larger frame. I’ll let him know after the deal is settled.

  WEST

  I’ve never resented Thomas Alby as much as I do right now. He called me out of the blue to come over to his room for drinks and an update. The last thing I wanted to do was leave when I had Adora limp and sated in my arms. The way she came for me so beautifully is still replaying in my brain. A week could never be enough for me. It’s not what we agreed upon, but she’s fast become an obsession. I sucked her sweet nectar off my fingers before cleaning up in the bathroom. I wouldn’t let anyone get a whiff of her musky honey.

  Undoing the top button at my collar, I roll my shoulders. He wants answers I’m reluctant to give him. He’d blocked independent software companies who would’ve been in direct competition with us, bought out smaller businesses, and cannibalized them. The word got around. He’s tried to clean up his image in the past ten years, but as they say, the internet is forever. I’m not sure how he’ll take it. The man doesn’t like failure of any sort. I rub the back of my neck. I used to look up to him once. I was fresh out of school and grateful for the internship and later entry-level position at a big company. I had stars in my eyes. Mr. Alby could do no wrong. Even when he started pitting Porter and me against one another. I wrote it off as a healthy competition until Porter began trying to sabotage me. The lanky, pale-skinned Irish man wanted my head on a spike.

  Coming to a stop outside of the hotel room, I put on my mask of indifference. It’s best not to let him see he’s gotten under your skin. I knock.

  “Welcome, my boy! You have good news for me, I hope.” Alby waves me inside toward the table and chairs beside a window.

  “I’m afraid I don’t have much in the way of business. We enjoyed ourselves, but the business talk was constantly interrupted.”

  Alby’s eyebrows come together. A severe scowl twists his wrinkled countenance into something sinister. “Inviting Adora along was a mistake, I see.”

  “It was actually Priscila who liked to have the attention on her, sir.”

  Alby sighs. “The things we put up with for family.” He sinks down into a chair, and I take a seat across from him. “Did he give you any indication on why he’s holding back?”

  “He’s concerned about some of our past practices.”

  “Oh.” Alby’s eyebrows arch. “Such as?”

  “He didn’t go into specifics. But he mentioned the importance of treating employees and the products with consideration and respect.”

  “And we don’t?” Alby roars.

  I remain silent.

  “You need to make him understand that powerful people do what’s necessary to maintain their position.”

  “He’s very family
-oriented. I think his values lie elsewhere.”

  “Why do you think his daughter’s interest in you is so important?” Alby snarls, all but foaming at the mouth. “He’s led by his emotions. You capture that girl’s heart, and we’ll have our deal.”

  “I’m not interested in her, sir. I let her know that months ago.” I place my hands on my knees, tightening my fingers.

  “Are you a team player or not, boy?”

  “I think I’ve proven many times over that Alby Software is my top priority.”

  Alby slams his fist down onto the table. “And yet you balk when it matters.”

  I flinch. “And what would happen after we signed the deal?”

  “You’d have a wealthy wife. I’ve seen you, boy. You have no staying power with any of those pretty little arm candies you bring around. Would this be so different?”

  “Yes.”

  “Why? This time you’d be getting something more than a round in bed—power, prestige, money, and a spot as the owner here. I need to know the man I leave in charge will do whatever it takes to keep us afloat and flourishing. You’ve shown great promise over the years, I’d be disappointed to see I was all wrong about you.”

  I grit my teeth.

  “You’ve given up so much. It’d be a shame for you to have to start over somewhere else at thirty-five.”

  The old fucker is threatening me. If I don’t bring this deal home, I won’t have a job to worry about. Red rage rises up, blocking out my vision. After everything I’ve given to him, he still wants more.

  “That’s it, boy. Get angry. Remember this helpless feeling. This is what it means to be a worker instead of an owner. The choice is up to you.”

  I rise abruptly, rattling the glasses on the table. I turn on my heel and walk to the door, leaving him behind. If I wait a moment longer, I won’t be able to stop myself from exploding and doing things I might regret. He’d backed me into a corner. I knew he had a shady side to him, but I figured out of sight out of mind. I should’ve known he would eventually turn on me. It was in his nature.

  He could take everything away. I would be left with nothing more than a severance package and what I’d managed to save in my 401K. Pure terror has me fleeing like the hounds of hell are nipping at my heels. I barely remember the trip from his room to mine. I walk inside, and Adora looks up at me with concern.

  “West.”

  I stalk forward, bury my hand in her coarse curls, and pull her body to mind. Bending down, I devour her lips, channeling my anger into the hunger our game of hoax has awakened. I plunge my tongue between her lips, tasting her flavor as I explore every facet of her mouth. My hands roam her body, massaging her ass and moving to hike up her skirt to reveal her thick thighs. She squeals, and I use the opening to deepen the kiss, tilting my head this way and that as I strive to slake my thirst. How could I give this up? I slip my hands between her cheeks, massaging her center.

  Her whimpers and moans are smothered by my mouth. Nipping her swollen bottom lip, I move down her body, squeezing her flesh lightly. I sink my teeth into the area where her shoulder and neck meet, marking her. Releasing her skin, I step back.

  “I need to see you.” My voice is guttural and rough. I tug her white blouse free from the blue pencil skirt and yank it apart. Buttons fly, landing on the carpet with muted plops. Her breasts peek out from beneath a blush pink lacy number that contrasts with her golden-brown flesh. I run my thumbs over her stiff peaks. She thrusts them forward.

  “Fucking pretty.” The dime-sized, brown nipples beg to be sucked. I clamp my teeth around one lightly as I pluck the other with my fingers.

  Crying out, she buries her fingers in my hair and forces me closer. I suckle her, tugging and rolling the opposite bud between my fingers. I switch, making sure to give the twins equal attention. Pulling back, I pop the clasp in the back and groan as the bra falls away. I cup the warm weight in my palms and push them together. Flicking the turgid nipples, I suck them in my mouth once more before kneeling in front of her.

  She looks thoroughly debauched—chest heaving, hair mused, and her skirt shoved up around her waist. I caress her skin with my fingers as I nuzzle her core. Running my tongue along the seam of her underwear, I enjoy her flavor and the feel of the pink lace. She squirms, and I chuckle. Gripping the back of her thighs, I nip at her flesh. “Tell me what you need.”

  “More.”

  “More what?” I guide her legs farther apart and trace the crease of her thigh. “This?”

  “No.” Her voice hitches.

  “Tell me.”

  “I want you to lick my pussy,” she cries.

  “Well, all you had to do was ask, sweet one.” I move the lace to the side and latch onto her sodden slit the way I’ve been longing to. I lap at her swollen clit, sucking and swirling my tongue as she floods my mouth. Her hand cups the back of my head, and her legs widen farther as she moves back and forth. Throaty, needy sounds have my cock trying to escape from my jeans. I flick her clit rapidly.

  “I’m going to come.”

  “Do it.” I latch on to her clit and slip a finger inside of her. Her walls clamp down around me, and slick flows like a river as she detonates like a bomb. I rest my face against her stomach as I grip the back of her thighs to keep her upright. “I want to be inside of you, baby.”

  “Yes,” she rasps. “I want that, too.”

  Reaching around, I unzip her skirt and help her work it down around her hips and legs. It falls in a puddle around her feet. I hook my thumbs into the side of her underwear.

  “You sure?”

  “Positive.”

  I remove the final scrap keeping her from my eyes, and gasp. “I knew you’d have a beautiful pussy, sweet one. It looks as good as it tastes.” I stroke down her slick cleft. “Go wait for me in bed.” I shed my clothes like they’re on fire and walk toward her. She rises up on her knees, looking like a siren with her curls tumbling around her face and her eyes fever bright. My cock is engorged, and my mushroom-shaped head is purple. I grip my base and pause in front of her to offer it to her.

  “Taste.” She sucks me down, and I swear as her wet heat engulfs me. She takes me to the back of her throat, gagging slightly. I twitch and groan. “Just like that.” Her hand replaces mine on my shaft, and she hollows her cheek, taking me in as she strokes me in a steady rhythm that has my eyes rolling back into my head. I need this. I pull back, and she pouts. “You’re a little too good at that. When I come, it’s going to be inside of you.”

  “Yes.” She lays back, spreading her legs, and I growl at her eagerness. I grab a condom from the drawer where I placed it earlier, knowing this was inevitable. Opening the foil, I hiss as I slide the rubber down my length. “Pull those lips apart and let me see you,” I whisper as I secure the condom. Her glistening pink lips draw me in.

  “You ready for me?”

  “Oh, yes,” she whispers.

  After crawling onto the bed, I slide my cock up and down, coating myself in her wetness while I nudge her clit. She catches my pace, digging her nails into my back. I hiss, enjoying the pain. “Watch me split you apart.” Looking down, I watch as I disappear inside of her. “You take me so well.” I pull out and push back in.

  “You’re so big,” she whines.

  “Relax and let me in.” Her walls resist and yield as I push into the hilt. She flexes, and I groan. Propped up on my arms, I wait for her to adjust. Her body relaxes, and I begin to move slowly. Her breath hitches and she moves her legs higher, digging her heels into my lower back and taking me deeper. I lose myself in her softness as she matches me stroke for stroke. Her dark eyes never leave mine as we climb higher and higher. Her body trembles, and I tilt my hips, hitting the spot that makes her quake. She clenches around me, taking me over with her. Burying my face in her neck, I inhale her scent as she milks me. This wasn’t a simple exchange of physical pleasure. I have nothing to offer her. My choice was made the minute Alby tried to force my hand. This can’t happen now. I won’
t drag her down. She’s loyal to a fault, so I’ll have to hide the truth.

  After easing out of her, I dispose of the condom as a plan shapes in my head. At least I can take this night.

  Chapter Four

  Adora

  “Morning.” I stretch my arms above my head as my body aches most deliciously.

  “How are you feeling?” he asks.

  “Good. You?” I study his face. He’s closed off today. My anxiety spikes. The meeting with Alby must’ve gone wrong.

  “I’m all right. I spoke with Alby last night, and we’ve come to an agreement.”

  “Really?” Excitement races through me.

  “I’m going to do what he wants.”

  “Wait. What?” My stomach drops.

  “I’ve worked too hard to lose everything.” He glances away.

  “What are you saying?”

  “I think it’d be best if you head back early. Take the rest of the week off.”

  Reaching out, I grip his arm. “What happened?”

  “I told you, he—”

  “No. This is not you, Weston. I know you.”

  His head snaps up. “Maybe you don’t. Listen, the past couple of days have been great, but this is my future.”

  I physically shrink back from his words. “It wasn’t for me.”

  “What?” The fear in his eyes makes something in me shrivel up and die.

  “Nothing.” I shake my head and toss back the blanket. “You’re right. It was a fun time. Now it’s over. I’ll make the arrangements to leave.” I won’t let him see me fall apart. There will be plenty of time for that later.

  “Adora—”

  I hold up my hand. “Don’t make this anymore awkward than it already is, Weston. I’m good at cleaning up after you. This won’t be any different.”

  He winces. I ignore his pained expression and move into the bathroom, locking the door behind me. Rushing over to the shower, I start up the spray as my shoulders begin to shake. The first sob breaks through, only to be drowned out by the water. I thought living with my feelings while he remained ignorant was bad. But this is so much worse because I know the way he feels moving inside of me and how he looks at someone he cares about. How he’ll never look at me again.