“What did you do?”
“I confronted her,” he said the words simply, as if he didn’t understand the courage such an act must have taken. “She tried to deny it at first, but there was too much evidence. Then things turned ugly.” He took a swig of his beer. “She’d had years to learn where the skeletons were buried. We could go after her legally, but she’d ensure our reputation was dragged through the mud. We were taking on water as it was. We wouldn’t have survived her smear campaign. Besides, suing our acting CEO for embezzlement would have been an embarrassment to the company. It would have ruined us.”
“She got away with it?” Horror surged through her.
“We made her sign a non-disclosure agreement and agree to leave the country. No more contact with any representative of Wexton Hotels or our competitors. Given her payout, she was more than happy to comply with our requests.”
“No,” she said, hating to think of Sophia somewhere in the world, living happy off of her ill-gotten gains.
Hayden turned back to the forest, and she had a moment of insight.
“That’s not all, is it?” she asked.
A pained laugh escaped him. “You want it all, down to the last sordid truth, hmm?”
“Only if you are ready to tell me.”
Silence stretched before a shuddering exhale left him. “I gave her a choice.”
Avery said nothing, waiting for him to take his time.
“I told her she could leave with the money but she’d be dead to me. Or…”
“Or?”
He looked back at her, his expression so bleak her heart squeezed in sympathy. “Or she could return it and I’d forgive her. For everything. A clean slate, I called it. We could go back to what we’d been. Continue our relationship. Get engaged and build a life together. I told her I loved her and begged her to choose me.”
Empathy welled within her. “But she didn’t.”
“She laughed at the very idea.” He glanced away again. “Who does that? What sort of man begs for someone who nearly ruined him? How could I have so easily forgiven her?”
Unable to stay away, Avery pushed off the porch and crossed to his side in seconds. “You loved her,” she said, cupping his face in her hands. “Real, desperate love. It makes us more than we think we can be. Expands our ability for compassion. You did nothing wrong. All the fault lies at Sophia’s feet.”
“I fell for it all,” he said. “I let her use me.”
“There is no shame in loving someone.”
“There is when she’s a snake who almost ruined a company for the sake of her greed. She targeted me for a reason, Avery. I was weak. I deserved the destruction she nearly rained down on my head.”
She swallowed hard, her heart hurting for him and for the young boy he’d been, trusting in his first love only to have it explode in his face.
“Do you think I deserved it?” she asked. “I believed in a man I shouldn’t have. Ignored the inconsistencies because I wanted to believe in him. Was I asking for what happened next?”
His hands closed around her waist. “Of course not,” he said, heat in his voice. “You deserved nothing like what that idiot gave you. Your man should worship the ground you walk on and give thanks every day to have you in his life. You did nothing wrong.”
“Then why do you think you did just by loving the wrong person? We’re not responsible for the actions of others, Hayden. All we can do is try to navigate this complicated world as best we can. Sophia took advantage of you. All you did was love someone. It’s not a crime.”
“It’s not that easy.”
“Yes, it is,” she said. She ran her fingers down his cheek. “Both of us got hurt, but we’re still standing. We’re a little broken, but there’s strength in that. Strength in you. You have to see it.”
His hands gripped her wrists. “I spent years trying to make up for my mistake.”
“And built an empire,” she said. “You turned disaster into success. Can’t you see that? What you did is amazing.”
“Don’t absolve me.”
“Someone needs to,” she said. “When I got divorced I shut down. I think in your own way, you did, too.” She rose to her tiptoes, her mouth a breath away from his. “You brought me back to life,” she whispered against his lips. “Won’t you let me try to repay the debt?”
His soft groan was her only reply before she pressed her lips to his.
Chapter Fourteen
Together they stumbled through the porch door into the dark cabin. Avery reached for the light switch, but her fingers didn’t find it before Hayden pulled her deeper into the room. His mouth claimed hers with a new desperation, and she understood the need driving him. With the ghosts of their pasts clinging to them, they needed a fresh start. A new beginning.
Together.
He pulled her closer to the double beds he’d defiantly pushed together before dinner. She’d rolled her eyes when he’d made up the bed, choosing instead to prepare one of the bunk beds for herself. Now she was thankful for his certainty.
His hands swept under her shirt, gliding up her sides. She shivered at the touch despite the warm tropical night air.
“I need to see you,” he said against her mouth. “Please.”
Grabbing the hem of her T-shirt, she pulled it over her head without any hesitation. She’d just bared her soul to this man, what did it matter if she also bared her body?
Even in the dim light she could see the hunger on his face when he leaned back to look at her. Though this morning she would have vowed they wouldn’t end up in bed, it hadn’t stopped her from wearing one of her only matching bra and panty sets. Now she thanked her lucky stars as his gaze dropped to the black lace cupping her breasts.
Her heart beat kicked up a notch at his expression. There was no doubting his desire, and she couldn’t deny the need in his eyes filled her with confidence.
I always want him to look at me like that.
Desperate. Overcome with lust. All for little old her.
Undoing the snap of her shorts, she wiggled out of them and kicked them across the floor.
She stood before him in only her underwear and didn’t feel a drop of regret. No, the blood pounded in her ears, and adrenaline shot through her veins as she waited for him to touch her. Never before had she needed anyone the way she needed him right now.
“This has got to go,” she said, pulling at his shirt.
It took seconds to tear the T-shirt over his head before he reached for her.
Chills raced over her as she stepped into his arms. Her palms flattened against the rock-hard abs and her mouth watered. Giving in to her desire, she leaned down to press her lips to his skin. Her tongue lapped over a nipple as her nails scratched lightly across his abdomen until his muscles contracted under her fingertips.
“Christ, Avery,” he said, tangling his fingers in her hair and pulling her head back up to his questing lips. “I need you.”
She grinned, rubbing a hand against the erection straining against his fly. “I noticed.”
Reaching behind her, he snapped open the clasp of her bra with sure fingers.
“I’ve never wanted anyone the way I want you,” he said, his eyes on her exposed breasts. “Not once. How is that possible?”
“If you figure out the answer let me know,” she replied, sliding her hands up his arms to wrap around his shoulders. “Even when I didn’t want to admit how much I wanted you, this pounding need still gripped by body. Do you know how many times I dreamed of the gala? How many times I woke up alone in my bed, aching for you?”
“All I had to do was think about you and I was hard as iron,” he growled. “Damned inconvenient in business meetings.”
She laughed aloud.
“Not funny, love. I once had to walk out of a meeting with a file held in front of my crotch. CEOs are supposed to be more circumspect.”
“So you followed me around the world,” she said, touching her nose to his. “In hindsight, that was
pretty sweet.”
“Wyatt called me an idiot. Said you’d hit me with a sexual harassment lawsuit.”
“That’d be hypocritical of me, don’t you think?” she pointed out. “After all, I wanted the exact same thing.”
“Glad to hear you admit it.”
She traced her fingers along his jaw. “I was afraid to want you.”
“And now?”
Her eyes flicked to his. “I’m in too deep to back out now.”
The lust in his eyes banked for a moment as a serious expression crossed his face. “I understand exactly what you mean.”
“Then let’s enjoy it,” she said. “Who knows what will come next?”
“Hopefully sex. Lots and lots of sex.” Grabbing her around the waist he tossed her onto the makeshift bed and crawled onto it after her.
“Mmm,” she said, sliding back to make room for him. “There are so many things I want to do with you.”
“We’ll do them all,” he promised, rising over her. “Then we’ll repeat them until you forget your own name.”
“See? You’re just full of brilliant ideas.”
“Exactly what I’ve been saying.” Grabbing her wrists, he pinned them over her head with a strong hand.
A thrill raced through her at his dominance. She organized her life with such steely control it was rather nice to have it taken from her. Her stomach knotted as he ran his lips down her throat, pressing a heated kiss above her racing pulse.
“Hayden,” she sighed, shifting under him to cradle him between her thighs. His mouth continued its descent until he reached her breasts. He caught one peaked nipple in his mouth, and she bit her lip.
Don’t you dare stop.
Electricity shot through her veins as his tongue lapped the sensitive nub. She bit her lip when he blew cool air against the skin, and her hands twisted in the borrowed bedding.
“So responsive,” he purred. “I could play with you for hours, learning each and every way your body tightens for me.”
“Later,” she moaned, arching under him. She’d wanted him for months. Their play in the hotel had only fanned the flame. She was all for exploring his body, but right now, she wanted him inside her.
One finger pressed against her panties, stroking her through the material.
“Yes,” she breathed as he shifted his attention to her other breast.
Avery closed her eyes, giving herself up to the sensations pulsing through her body.
She’d thought their night at the gala had been fiery because it had been a one-time thing. There’d been no need for inhibitions. But now she realized that hadn’t been it at all. It was just them.
We’re explosive together.
And it wasn’t a feeling she ever wanted to let go of.
Hayden rose above her on one arm, staring down at her before he brushed her lips with his. She sighed against his mouth when his hand pushed the fabric of her underwear aside and stroked her wet slit directly.
So good.
She arched at the touch, pleasure rushing through her. There was nothing hesitant about the way he played with her. Sure fingers circled her clit, forcing a cry from her as she rocked her pelvis against his hand. Closing her eyes, she focused on the pounding desire bubbling within her. An orgasm was tantalizingly close, and she couldn’t stop her hips from rocking against his hand. She wanted that sweet release, and there was only so much she could do to achieve it pinned beneath him.
Her body tightened, ready to explode, and as if sensing how close she was, Hayden stopped.
“No,” she moaned, writhing under him. “You’ve got to be kidding me.”
“Just a moment,” he said, releasing her.
He shifted back, his hands going to his fly. Avery reached down to divest herself of her panties as he kicked his jeans and boxers over the side of the bed.
“Oh yes,” she said, rolling him onto his back so she could run a single finger along his cock. “It’s been a while since you let me see this particular sight.”
“Far, far too long,” he agreed, hissing in a breath as she rubbed her thumb over the sensitive crown. “If I ever get the notion to be chivalrous again, feel free to whack me.”
“I thought it was sweet,” she said, pressing her lips to his navel, her tongue flicking out to tease him. “But it did leave the scales rather unbalanced between us.”
“Avery,” he moaned as she kissed her way lower, his cock gripped in one hand. “I won’t last.”
“You will,” she denied, positioning herself between his legs. “Just think of what comes after the play.”
He groaned. “That doesn’t help.”
“Does this?” Her tongue darted out to taste the silky crown of his cock.
“No,” he shouted, arching from the bed. “Just the opposite.”
“Still able to form sentences, hmm?” she said, pumping her hand up and down. “I’m doing something wrong.”
“Trust me, you’re doing everything right.”
With a grin, she ran her lips over his hard length before taking him into her mouth. Hayden’s hoarse shout reached her as she curled her tongue around him, teasing the sensitive flesh as she moved back and forth.
One hand tangled in her hair, guiding her to the right rhythm. She could almost feel his tension as he fought not to thrust against her mouth, and couldn’t help her smile. She liked him like this. Gasping with pleasure, shedding his control. It’s how they should be together. Always.
Knowing she was driving him to distraction filled her with a power she’d never felt before. It made her want more. She wanted to hear him roar in release. To see his eyes glazed with pleasure.
She shifted her eyes up to see him and he met her gaze, a bolt of pure connection shooting through her. In response, she ran her tongue over the head of his cock once more.
“Damn,” he cursed. “I want to come when I’m inside you. You have to stop.”
She arched a brow, not slowing.
With a guttural groan, he pulled himself away from her mouth, flipping her as he reversed their positions. He reached under the pillow, searching for something with blind need.
When she saw him withdraw a condom, she laughed. “You know how I value being prepared,” she complimented.
“If I got you onto this bed, I didn’t want to take any chances,” he replied, ripping the foil packet with his teeth before unrolling the condom onto himself.
Avery wiggled back to give him room to position himself. She felt his cock butt up against her slit and couldn’t calm the butterflies in her stomach.
“Ready?” he asked her, holding himself above her with one hand as the other prepared to guide himself into her.
She reached out to cup his face. “I think I’ve been waiting for this for years,” she whispered.
He thrust forward without another word.
Avery arched back, her lips parted on a soft gasp. He settled deep inside her, filling her in a way that made everything fall into place.
Hayden grasped her hips and withdrew before surging back inside her. Hot pleasure had her moaning even as she bent her knees, planting her feet on the bed to draw him in deeper. With each thrust she angled her body up to meet his, rocking to the same rhythm. One hand wrapped around his shoulders while the other flailed out to twist in the sheets.
Opening her eyes, she glanced up to meet his dark gaze as he pressed forward. Her body tingled in awareness. Something about this was new. Everything was different with Hayden. It was simply more. More intense, more intimate, more important. He cleared her mind of everyone who’d come before him.
Pleasure coiled deep inside her, building with every thrust. Her teeth grazed his shoulder as her orgasm grew ever closer.
“That’s it, love,” he whispered in her ear. “Let me see you break apart in my arms.”
His words wrapped around her. Her breath quickened as she angled her pelvis to pull him deeper. One leg locked around his hips as she panted beneath him.
“
Hayden,” she pleaded. She was so close. Just a little more.
He thrust back into her, and the world split apart. Her cry rocketed off the wooden walls as her climax crashed over her. Hayden delved into her with a wild frenzy before his body stiffened. His roar echoed hers as his own orgasm overtook him.
She smiled up at him in lazy languor as she rode the waves of her aftermath. Every cell in her body had exploded with pleasure at the same time. She’d had passionate sex before, but this was off the charts. Hayden was just that good.
Staring at his slack expression, she amended the thought. They were just that good together.
He pulled out of her, collapsing at her side, one arm tossed across her waist.
“Hell,” he breathed when he was able. “We have to do that again.”
She laughed.
“Yes,” she said, kissing the tip of his nose. “But I want to be on top this time.”
His eyes nearly crossed at the offer. “I think we can negotiate something that will make us both happy,” he said.
Avery turned into his arms as he pulled her close. She fit perfectly under his chin, and she wondered if he noticed.
Closing her eyes, she allowed herself a small respite, knowing she wouldn’t get much sleep tonight.
For the first time in far too long she was filled with a bright, pure joy she’d forgotten existed. And while part of her feared it wouldn’t last, right now she wanted to stop thinking and simply enjoy.
Because she was reasonably sure Hayden Wexton wasn’t a man she’d be getting over any time soon.
Chapter Fifteen
“I’d ask how your weekend went, but you seem to be glowing. I didn’t think that was a real thing.”
Avery grinned at Karen. “Neither did I.”
“I take it this means you’ve gotten over your emotional hang-ups and finally screwed the boss?”
“And how,” she agreed, shivering at the memory.
After a night of sex, they’d slept well into the day, waking just in time for a last hike to the cliffs before packing up to meet Keon. She’d spent the whole ride back wrapped in Hayden’s arms, feeling more secure than she had in years.
The Billionaire's Paradise (Sexy Billionaires) Page 13