Tell Me Now

by S. Moose

  My parents had the best marriage. They were high school sweethearts, conquered any obstacle, and were married in front of their family and friends. I came into the world sixteen months later, and my childhood was the best. My mom suffered from five miscarriages before they decided to stop trying for another baby. I had their attention, and unlike my friends, I wasn’t raised by a nanny. Dad has his multibillion-dollar financial holdings company, and mom was a socialite. She was head of several charities and events. People admired her, and why wouldn’t they? Every year around Christmas, my mom organized a fundraiser and raised so much money for those in need. When she passed away, not only did my dad and I feel her loss, but our community did as well.

  “Dad, is everything okay?”

  He smiles and pats my knee. “Of course, honey. Update me on what’s going on. How’s climbing the corporate ladder in the fashion business?”

  I fill him in about my job, Kaylee, our apartment, and Bryce. Except I leave out all parts that would induce a heart attack on my dad.

  “So I don’t know what to do with Bryce.”

  “Well, if this man’s going to act immaturely, are you sure you want someone like him in your life? He doesn’t sound like a man I’d like for my only daughter.”

  I nod and carefully look at him. There’s more to what’s going on, and I have a feeling it’s not very good. I’ll be sure to tell Betty and his driver, Charles, to keep their eyes on him since I don’t come around as often as I should. I also make a note to visit at least once a week and see my dad in the city.

  “Whatever’s going on, Dad, you know I’m here for you.” I hope he knows what I’m saying is true. “Even though I’m an hour away, it doesn’t mean I won’t make time to see you. How about we get lunch this week? Your building’s downtown, and that’s where I work. We can even grab dinner after work.”

  He smiles again and takes my hand into his. “I love you, honey. That sounds good. Call me when you want to do that. Do you have everything you need?” He attempts to take out his wallet, and I immediately stop him. “Let me at least give you a few hundred. Just for a rainy day.”

  “Dad, I have the money Mom left for me. I don’t need much.” I should tell him about my car.

  “Oh! I forgot to ask. When did you get a new car?”

  Crap.

  “Well ...” I pause and look down then back at him. “MycargotjackedandBryceboughtmeanewone.”

  “Pardon?” My dad’s eyes go wide. “Did I hear you correctly?” Slowly, I nod. I’m so nervous to hear what he’s going to think. “I see.”

  “I didn’t ask him to buy it, and he won’t take it back either. Plus, I do like the car.”

  “I see.” My dad quiets, and I’m not sure what he’s thinking.

  We talk a little more and walk inside to the kitchen. He kisses my forehead and heads to his office.

  After saying bye, I head back to Chicago and Bryce’s penthouse. I pull into the parking garage at the Ritz-Carlton, where Bryce lives, use the code he’s given me, and gulp. My hands shake, and when I park my car, I sit still. I’ve been unfair to him, so now I should give him a chance and we can open up to one another.

  The doorman, Luther, smiles at me before I get on the elevator to his floor. My nerves are shot. I should’ve texted him instead of simply showing up unannounced.“You got this,” I encourage myself and take one last look in the mirror before getting out of my car.

  The elevator dings, and I get out, watching my pace and steadying my breathing. I shouldn’t be nervous. Bryce didn’t break up with me, and I didn’t break up with him. Everything will be fine as long as we talk.

  I’m standing outside his door, and I’m about to knock when I feel a hand on my shoulder.

  “Ms. Smith.”

  “Hi, Peter.” I turn around and ask, “Is Bryce in?”

  “He’s in an important meeting. Does he know you’re here?”

  I shake my head. “Ah, I wanted to surprise him. I didn’t realize he’d have people here. Will he be mad?”

  A faint smile curves on his face, and just like that, it disappears, and he’s back to looking big and scary. “No. Mr. Hunter will not be mad. Not when it’s you. There’s no one else here. It’s a conference call.”

  My cheeks instantly heat. I want to ask him to elaborate. “Oh.” I pause and let his other statement sink in. “What do you mean?”

  “You know what I mean.”

  “Okay. So ...” I point my thumb over my right shoulder, pointing at the elevator. “Let him know I stopped by.”

  “That won’t be necessary.”

  “Huh? If he’s busy, I don’t want to wait for him. I can always come back, Peter. No biggie.”

  “Shake the look off your face, girly.” Peter moves to the door and unlocks it with a code. He looks over his shoulder, smiles, and lets me in. “He’s going to be happy you’re here.”

  “Oh.”

  “Mr. Hunter will be done shortly. Make yourself comfortable.”

  “Okay. Thanks, Peter.”

  “You’re welcome, girly.”

  The huge couch engulfs me. I’m staring at the artwork along the walls, then try to find the television remote to his massive big screen. A manila folder on his glass coffee table gets my attention, and my curiosity wins out. I sit down again and easily reach for the folder. I move it slightly and notice a picture. Carefully picking it up, I notice it’s a picture of me. I’m looking through paperwork. From the looks of the background, I’m in his office. He must have taken this the first time I was there. How odd.

  “I took it when you weren’t looking.”

  Chapter 27

  Madison

  My head perks up, and I quickly stand. I try to get some air into my lungs. This is harder than I thought.

  “Madison, talk to me.” He’s in front of me, twirling a stand of my hair between his fingers. “Talk to me,” he gently demands.

  “You pursued me. Made me fall for your charm. We had mind-blowing sex countless times, and then you ignore me.”

  “You wanted space. When you texted me, I saw each one. I needed space not to be mad.”

  “Mad? At me?” I question, wondering about his reasons.

  Bryce brings my hands to his lips, while still watching me, and his soft lips kiss my knuckles. I shudder a breath. “Walking away to give you space tore me apart. I understood your need for space, but it wasn’t easy for me to leave you alone. Do you have any idea what you do to me?”

  There’s a hint of emotion in his voice, and it warms me to hear his confession. This is why people should talk. Miscommunication is a bitch. It’s a killer. If I had never come over, then we wouldn’t be here now. I need to remember to talk to him and not push him away, and if I need space, then I’m going to be honest about it. Bryce doesn’t intimidate me the way Kent did. At least with Bryce, there are no secrets or anything dirty between us. Well, figuratively dirty that is.

  Those dazzling brown eyes of his make me melt. He wants me the way I want him. It’s hard to believe Bryce still desires me and wants us to work.

  “Can we try this again?”

  His fingers tug on my chin, lifting it up, so we’re looking at one another. My body heats to his touch. He keeps a firm hold on my chin. I’m not sure what to expect.

  “I react to you. Physically. Emotionally. Intellectually. I’ve told you before; this connection between us drives me wild. Give us a chance.” I gulp again, and I don’t dare to look away. “I’m yours, Madison.” His grip loosens. “Stay with me tonight. Wake up with me tomorrow morning. Let me take care of you. Let me protect you from the world. With me, you’ll never have to question how I feel because every day, I’ll tell you how I feel. I’ll make sure you have everything you need. Don’t you see, Madison? I’m willing to do anything and everything to have you. This isn’t a fling or a conquest. This is all of me. I’m baring my heart and soul to you.”

  Holy. Hell. This man is perfect. Beyond perfect.

  My heart c
alms its speedy pace, and I finally relax with the look in his eyes. I can get lost, and I never want to be found. In Bryce, I see what I’ve been looking for. What I’ve been waiting for.

  “Okay. I’m all in again. No more space. No more being apart. We’re going to do this together. We’ll climb all the obstacles our way.”

  In seconds, I’m in Bryce’s arms. He spins me around, and I let out a girlish squeal. His laugh reverberates through my body. I miss the feel of his strong arms around me. I miss it all.

  With me in his arms, he runs upstairs and toward his bedroom. As soon as we’re inside, he sets me down on the bed and looks at me with a hungry, dark expression. His hands are all over me, and I don’t resist or tell him to slow down.

  “I like these shorts on you,” he mutters. “Only wear them for me. I’ll end up getting arrested if you wear these in public. You’ll attract attention, and I’ll be fighting for your honor and protection. No man will gawk at you.”

  “Or woman. You never know.” I wink, and he breaks out into a gorgeous smile. I stand from the bed and wrap my arms around him. “I need you,” I whisper against his lips.

  Bryce begins the task of undressing me. He unbuttons my shorts and pulls them down my legs. He taps one foot and takes off my wedge and does the same to my other foot.

  Only the sunlight from outside spills into the dark room. I catch Bryce staring at my pussy, and I quiver with the sensation he elicits. That look. That look of want, need, and desire. My body arches with the cool breeze of his breath. This is something I’ve never done before. Nothing this sensual and sexy. We haven’t done much, and I’m drenched. It’s embarrassing, but I know it’ll boost his ego.

  “You’re staying with me tonight.”

  The sensations are too much. I’m oblivious to the outside world, and inside my head, Bryce is cherishing my body. He’s taking his time and looking into my heart and soul. He owns them, and I never want either back. The only thing I have to look forward to is the now. The now with Bryce and seeing where we’ll go.

  Bryce stands up and looks down at me. Our eyes sing a song; a song only we can hear. I want nothing more than to answer him and let him know he doesn’t need to ask me if I’m staying because I am. “Everyone has a destiny. I hope our destinies will bring us together. We don’t need any more drama and breaking up.”

  “No,” I mutter. “I agree. We need to spend time together and chat. See how things are and what’s coming our way. I’m staying with you, Bryce. I want this just as much as you do.”

  “Since we have everything in order, I’m going to remind myself how sexy your body is and take my time. You’d better be okay with that.”

  “Yes.”

  “Good.”

  With his eyes on mine, I feel his hands pulling the hem of my shirt up and over my body. He drops it on the floor and removes my bra. My breasts are on full display. I feel his fingers on my nipple, and he nibbles on my tender bud with his teeth. Teasing me. Pushing. Making me crave him and driving me crazy for more. Everything he’s doing is gentle, precise, and slow. I gasp at the sensations. Bryce moves to show the other breast the same attention, but by this point, I’m loudly moaning, “Bryce, please.”

  “You’re so sexy, baby. I’ve missed you. Jesus, I can’t wait to be buried deep inside you.”

  My belly flips to his words. The ache for him to do just that grows. All I can do is nod in agreement.

  “Nothing compares to you.”

  The overwhelming need to cry hits me. There’s so much behind his words. As he speaks it, I can feel the truth and emotion.

  Bryce pulls away, stepping back to take me in. “You’re perfection.”

  In only my lace black thong, I stand before him and let him devour me, not daring to move. His passionate brown eyes are predators—moving cautiously, watching carefully, and devising a plan for the attack. An attack I’ll gladly welcome. Neither of us moves or speaks a word. This is how it should be between us. It soothes me to understand his feelings for me and what he wants. I feel safe with him. There’s no question or doubt.

  “Stay still,” he orders and steps closer. Reaching out, he brushes his fingers to trace the outline of my breasts. The sum of all he’s doing to me is making my body submit.

  “Bryce,” I breathlessly say, leaning forward to feel more of him.

  He tilts his head to the side, exposing my neck and running his nose over my skin. The softness and pace of his touch makes me wet with desire. The waves of pleasure burn with untamed satisfaction. Reaching the crest of their need, I nearly collapse into him. I shiver at the way his fingers slip over the band of my thong. In one move, he rips the delicate material off and drops the tattered lace on the floor with a wicked smile on his face.

  “You owe me a new pair!” I playfully tell him.

  “You won’t need to wear panties with me. I expect you bare and always ready for me,” he says against my inner thigh.

  The ache turns stronger. Bryce grabs my leg and places it on his shoulder. I’m open to him. Wide open. All I can do is watch what he’s doing and not fall. Please, for the love of all that’s holy, don’t let me fall.

  “I need a taste first.” He puts his mouth on my sex, tenderly sucking and playing with my clit. His soft tongue rolls through my folds. It’s taking all the restraint I have in me not to fall apart. “God, you taste sweet. So fucking sweet. I’ve missed this.”

  “Keep going,” I beg, lifting my arms in the air, threading my fingers through the silky strands of my hair. The pleasure is too much. “Bryce!”

  “I know, baby. Shh, let me enjoy you.”

  The sensual way his tongue feels on my pussy is driving me mad. I moan. I call out his name. “More, Bryce. I need more.”

  My body stills at the welcomed intrusion of his skillful fingers. All the sensations are amazing.

  “Damn, baby. You’re tighter than I remember.”

  “I’m about to come, Bryce.”

  Sucking my clit harder, he quickens the pace of his fingers. I quickly fall apart and succumb to an intense orgasm that shatters my body.

  Right now, I need more than his fingers. I need him … all of him to fill me. Take me. Make me forget about taking it slow.

  I bend over slightly and run my lips near his ear. A primal grunt releases from him, and I smile. I’m the one doing this to him.

  “Take me,” I whisper and stick out my tongue to lick the side of his face.

  Bryce pulls his fingers out of me and stands up. After another deep, throaty moan, he lifts me in his arms. He holds me for a beat before setting me down on the pillows. Without words, he traces his two fingers along my bottom lip. I take them into my mouth and watch dark desire cover his brilliant brown eyes. With his fingers still in my mouth, I sit up and reach over to undo his jeans. The bulge under his boxer briefs is hard to ignore. My mouth waters just thinking about sucking on him. Cupping his impressive dick with one hand, I pull down his black boxer briefs with my free one. Since Bryce is always taking my body to unimaginable heights, I decide to show him my full appreciation.

  I’m on my knees, admiring his sexy cock, and cover him with my lips. His moan excites me. I grip the base and work my way up and down his length. Slowly, I push farther down, ignoring the impending gag, until I feel him at the back of my throat.

  “Baby, fuck, that feels good. Keep going.” It makes me confident and pushes me to continue what I’m doing.

  “Enough,” Bryce utters in a demanding tone and pulls me up from my kneeling position. “Lie down.”

  I comply without thinking. His strength and dominance are clearly conveyed. There’s no question this man knows what he wants, and he’ll take it. Right now, he wants me, and I’m going to let him have me.

  “I want so badly to fuck you, Madison,” he whispers against my neck. “But now, I’m going to make love to you.”

  Bryce guides himself to my wet opening. He’s careful, gentle, and insanely passionate. I writhe against his body, begging h
im to be inside me. The tip of his dick is right there. Right where I need him the most. Without rushing, Bryce pushes into me. The pace is slow and seductive. His eyes never leave mine, and each time he bottoms out, my body trembles, begging for more.

  “Tell me you’re not going to leave me.”

  “I’m not leaving you, Bryce.”

  He quickens his thrusts and lifts my leg in the air against his chest. Holy shit, he’s deep. I moan and grip his forearms.

  Our rhythm is in sync, and we never look away from one another. His thrusts are hard but slow. I can feel every inch of him. When his lips land on mine, our kiss isn’t fast and full of hunger. We’re taking our time—exploring each other’s mouths, tangling our lips, and savoring the kiss.

  We find our releases, and I get up to clean myself in his bathroom. He’s behind me, watching me. As soon as I’m done, Bryce picks me up bridal style, and we return to his bed. He opens his arm for me, so I crawl over to rest my head on his chest. It’s quiet between us. Bryce holds me tighter, and I peek to see what he’s doing. His eyes are closed, and soon, his breathing becomes steady. Sleep soon finds me, capturing me in its spell and taking me to a dream.

  Chapter 28

  Bryce

  My eyes fly open from a nightmare, and I look around the dark room. She’s not next to me. The thumping of my heart beats hard against my chest. Sweat soaks the pillow and bed sheets. I strip off the covers and reach for my phone. I need to talk to her.

  “Hello,” she answers in a groggy voice. Fuck. “Bryce?”

  “Hey, baby.” I clear my throat and shut my eyes. “I know it’s late.”

  “A little.” She laughs, and it’s the best sound I’ve heard. “Are you okay?”

  “I wish you’d move in with me. It’s hard sleeping without you next to me. I have more than enough room for you. Will you promise to think about it?”

  There’s silence on her end. I give her some time to let it all sink in. I know I’m asking and pushing for more than I should, but the idea of not being with her every chance I get fucks with my head. She’s more than a woman I’m with.