“You can shower at my place.” He let her go. “Hurry and pack. I have a strange feeling we need to get out of here before Mrs. Leder returns.”
“Afraid she’ll stop by bearing more handcuffs?” Madison teased, exiting the kitchen.
“No, she seemed particularly interested in my plans for you.” He followed her as she turned down the short hallway that led to her bedroom. “She even threatened to hire someone to kick my ass if I hurt you.”
Madison stopped at her open bedroom door. “She said that?”
Hayden came up to the door and rested his shoulder on the frame. “She said it didn’t matter if I was your ‘hottie boss,’ I still had to treat you right.” He peeked into her bedroom. “Still think of me as your ‘hottie boss’?”
A blush rose about her cheeks, and she slowly nodded.
He pushed away from the door and placed his hands about her waist. “Do you have a desk?”
Madison shook her head. “Sorry. Charlie had one, but she’s already moved it to her fiancé’s place.”
Hayden’s eyes took a turn of her small bedroom. “That’s too bad. I have this urge to bend you over a piece of large furniture and take you from behind.” He kissed the tip of her nose. “Get your things and let’s get out of here. I have something I want to try with you tonight.”
Her gut tingled and a rush of heat erupted between her legs. “What do you have in mind?”
He shook his head and backed away from her. “Good little girls wait for their bosses to tell them what to do. Do you understand?”
“Yes, Mr. Parr,” she whispered.
“Now hurry up.”
Madison dashed for her closet, and when Hayden’s hand connected with her butt, she yelped, but did not protest. Madison had a strange feeling she was going to like what Hayden had in mind for her…she was going to like it a lot.
Chapter 16
It was after nine when Hayden parked his Land Rover in the black gravel driveway beside his home. Madison glanced out the passenger window to the darkened street, and when her eyes settled on the Martins’ house, she grimaced. The memory of her encounter with Stevie Martin still left a bitter taste in her mouth.
“What did you think of the property?” Hayden asked, switching off the ignition.
“The house was hideous. You’re right, the property was stunning, but….”
He eased back in his seat, keeping his eyes on her. “But…?”
“I honestly liked their property in Turtle Creek better. I think it has more potential than that.” She thumbed out the window toward the Martins’ home.
“I agree, but I doubt Pat is going to sell it to me. He seems pretty set to build on it.” He opened his car door.
Madison waited as he reached into the backseat and retrieved her overnight bag. “I want you to bring a few more things next time you come over. Pack a suitcase with clothes you can keep here. I don’t want you to have to keep lugging an overnight bag every time you stay with me.” Slinging her bag over his shoulder, he shut the door and walked around to her car door.
“I don’t mind,” she asserted when he opened her door for her.
“But I do. I want you to feel comfortable in my home.”
“I am.”
“We’ll see about that.” He snickered and turned away.
Madison followed him up the gravel path toward the front glass doors. Walking behind him, she followed the curve of his butt beneath his beige suit jacket. Images of fondling that butt with her hands were distracting her when he stopped before the glass doors and pointed to the keypad.
“Punch in the code,” he ordered.
“What difference does it make if—?”
“Madison, just do it.”
She put her hand on keypad. “What was the code again?”
“Close your eyes and think about it. I told you several times this morning. Remember?”
She closed her eyes, recalling their conversation earlier that morning about the code. In an instant, she heard his voice in her head, repeating the numbers.
Opening her eyes, she touched the keypad and typed in 75336.
The door popped open. “Very good.”
“And the point of that was what?”
“To make you think. Most people look to someone else to fill in the gaps for them. I prefer for someone to fill in the blanks for themselves. I don’t like dependent people. I want you to be assertive and confident.”
“You don’t think I’m assertive and confident, is that what you’re telling me?”
“No.” He pushed the door open for her. “You don’t think you’re confident or assertive, but I’m going to change that.”
She stepped through the door and turned back to him. “How do you plan to do that?”
He followed her in, shut the door, and pointed to the keypad. “Lock us in.”
Shaking her head at his persistence, she hurriedly punched in the code. After she was done, Hayden went to the stairs in the foyer and placed her bag on the steps. As he turned back to her, his eyes grew colder and his lips spread into a lecherous grin.
“I want you to take off your clothes.” His deep voice resonated about the high foyer.
“Again? What is it with you and clothes?”
“Why are you arguing with me?” Hayden removed his jacket and set it on top of her bag. “This isn’t about seeing you naked. It’s about you expressing your inner desires with me.” He had a seat on the lowest step. “So strip.”
“Is this another lesson?”
He smiled. “If you like, yes.”
Shaking her head, Madison yanked at the zipper on her jeans.
“Not like that. Dance for me.”
“Dance? Hayden, why do you want me—?”
“Wasn’t it your fantasy to strip for a man?” He leaned forward on the step. “Well, here’s your chance.” She opened her mouth, but he cut her off. “I don’t want you to speak. Just dance.”
Madison waved her hand in the air. “But there’s no music.”
Shaking his head, he sighed. “This must be your difficult side.” He stood from the step. “Fine, I’ll get you some music.”
Hayden disappeared under the arch that led to the living room and kitchen. As she stood there waiting, Madison wondered why he was doing this. What was the point? Then, strains of Michael Bublé crooning the opening to “Feelin’ Good” filled the foyer. She covered her mouth with her hand, hiding her happy smile. How many times had she danced to this thinking of him?
“There’s your music.” Hayden came back to the steps and took his seat.
His eager eyes made her feel slightly uneasy. “Hayden, I don’t—”
He placed his fingers over his lips, demanding silence. “Close your eyes and listen to the music. Seduce me, Madison. Show me with your body how much you want me.”
As Madison closed her eyes, the soulful sound of the horns and straining strings came together in a crescendo. Swaying her head in time with the beat, she let the music fill her mind. At first, her shoulders shifted from side to side, then her hips began to rock back and forth. Keeping her eyes closed, she moved her feet about the smooth hardwood floor. So many times she had pictured dancing with her Harry as she listened to their song, and here she was living out that fantasy.
Her hands went to the fly of her jeans. Her clothes felt heavy now, and were weighing down her movements; she needed to be free of them. Easing the thick denim down her hips, the cool rush of air against her naked legs added to the tingle building in her stomach. With a kick, she did away with her jeans, and her hands went to her long-sleeved T-shirt. Shaking her hips, she dropped the shirt to the floor and quickly unsnapped her bra.
The steady rhythm was taking over her senses. Madison felt sexy, empowered…and then she remembered Hayden. Opening her eyes, she saw him. With his elbows resting on his knees and his hands clasped together, he was focused intently on her. She stared at him, but instead of feeling nervous, the way his eyes were watching her hi
ps set her on fire. She wanted him, to feel him naked with her, inside of her, taking every part of her. Madison inched forward, swinging her hips, and when she saw him hungrily wipe his hand over his mouth, she felt triumphant. He wasn’t laughing at her; he was turned on, really turned on. Doing a small spin on her toes, Madison grinded her hips as her fingers hooked the waistband of her silky beige panties. His eyes burned with desire, and she had never felt more wanted by a man.
As she drew closer, Madison ached to show him how he made her feel. Arriving at the stairway, she lowered her panties to her ankles and then set her hand on his shoulder. Pushing him back on the steps, the finale of the song echoed about the foyer. Her fingers worked the buttons of his shirt until the fabric gave way, exposing his wide chest. She swayed as her fingernails raked down his ripped abs. Climbing the bottom step, she straddled his hips. Hayden sat back, watching her every move but never touching her. He waited as she lowered her hips onto his lap. Only when the song ended and she was nestled against him did he raise his hands. Pushing her brown hair away from her face, he let go a long, happy sigh.
“There she is, the confident woman I dreamed you could be.” He kissed her lips. “Do you want me, Madison?”
“Yes, Hayden.”
“Mr. Parr.” His hand gripped her hair, pulling her head back. “Say I want you, Mr. Parr.”
The gesture made the warmth between her legs balloon into an undeniable inferno. “I want you…Mr. Parr.”
She tossed her arms about his neck, fiercely kissing him. Her hunger was insatiable, and her hands went to the zipper of his trousers, almost clawing at them. With Hayden covering her chest and neck with kisses, she pushed his pants below his hips. Hayden clutched her hips and spun her around in his arms, pinning her on all fours to the bottom step.
Madison gripped the edge of the step in front of her, fighting against his weight. He pushed her head down and she raised her hips higher, waiting for him. She heard the familiar sound of a foil package ripping open, and knew he was preparing to take her.
He spread her folds apart and rammed into her, propelling her forward. “Tell me you like this.” He pulled out and slammed into her flesh.
“God, yes,” she whimpered, her insides burning.
His hands gripped her hips as he shoved into her again. “You like it when I’m in charge, don’t you, Madison?”
“Yes, Mr. Parr.”
Her words excited him. Hayden began driving into her with all of his might again and again. Madison cried out as he forced her flesh apart, penetrating her to the deepest depths. She clawed the wooden step as he rutted behind her, rocking her forward and obliterating all thought.
“That’s it,” he moaned, pounding into her even harder than before. “You’re gonna take every inch of me.”
Her body became weak, and her mind spun out of control as she was besieged by his intense thrusting. It felt as if he were splitting her apart. When her orgasm gained momentum, sapping every ounce of her strength, his arms came around her, holding her in place. Her body tensed as his relentless assault brought her closer to climax. When the tension inside of her finally snapped, she arched her back, opened her mouth, and screamed.
Everything became lost behind a veil of fog as she collapsed on the step. She could hear Hayden grunting, feel him slamming into her, she even noted the tickle of the beads of sweat rolling down her forehead, but she could not move as that blissful ripple of satisfaction pervaded her muscles.
With one final long groan, he fell on top of her, panting into the back of her neck. Letting go of the edge of the step, Madison flexed her fingers, waiting for the stiffness to go away.
Throwing his arms about her, he pulled her to him. Curled up on her side and satiated beyond belief, Madison had never felt like this. Suddenly, she wanted him to take her in any way he desired. She loved the idea of handing her body over to him. What was happening to her?
He kissed the back of her neck. “Don’t ever run away from me again.”
“I’m not going anywhere, Hayden.”
“Did your fantasy live up to your expectations?”
“It was much better than I imagined.” A thought occurred to her and she tilted her head to the side. “What about you? Do you have any fantasies?”
He rolled back on the step. “We might have to work up to those.”
Interested, she sat up. “Why? Are they weird or something?”
He stood from the step and removed the condom. “No, just different. There are things I want you to do to me. Ways I want you to tie me up and take control. But you’re not ready for that yet.” He tied a knot in the condom and dropped it to the step.
She waited as he zipped up his trousers. “Will you teach me…teach me to be the kind of experienced lover you fantasize about?”
Hayden cupped his hands about her face. “Is that what you want?”
“Yes. I want to please you, Hayden.”
His smile melted her heart. “You already have, Madison.”
***
The following Friday afternoon, Madison left work early to meet Charlie for her final dress fitting before the wedding. The Mockingbird Bridal Boutique was not far from their apartment, but by the time Madison fought the traffic from the city and parked her car outside of the upscale store, she knew she was going to get an earful from her friend for being late.
Rushing to the glass entrance, she peered inside, hoping to spot a familiar face. After she smoothed the wrinkles in her black skirt and white silk blouse, she pushed the door open and was greeted by the soft strains of a harp. Looking up, she spotted the small speaker by the door, and then her eyes traveled to the sweeping pleated gold drapes and crystal chandeliers strewn about the ceiling. Positioned about the gold carpet were headless, black mannequins donning an array of fitted and beaded white wedding gowns. The air was thick with rose air-freshener, and when Madison turned to her right, racks of white wedding dresses housed in thick clear plastic bags could be seen lining each of the three walls in the long showroom. In the distance, she thought she heard the sound of women’s laughter, but she could not see a doorway or entrance to the rear of the shop.
“Are you here for the Tonti-Peevy nuptials?” an older woman with blonde hair and big brown eyes inquired as she emerged from behind a mirrored door hidden by the rack of dresses.
Madison nodded. “Ah, yes, I’m one of the bridesmaids.”
“Then you’re just in time.” The attendant gestured to the mirrored door. “The bride is trying on her gown. Follow me.”
After being ushered to the rear fitting area, decorated with gold velvet sofas and white plastic flower arrangements, Madison was confronted by three severe looking women with sour faces. All three were middle-aged, had sallow-complexions, thick twists of black hair pulled behind their heads, and large dark circles beneath their black eyes. They were dressed in similar dowdy dark pantsuits that far from flattered their stout figures.
Swallowing back a rush of nerves, Madison smiled and held out her hand. “I’m Madison Barnett, one of Charlie’s bridesmaids.”
The tallest of the women came forward, attempting a slight smile. “Yes, Charlie mentioned you were coming. I’m Nelson’s mother, Caroline Peevy.” Taking her hand, Caroline Peevy nodded to the other two women. “These are my sisters. We’ve been waiting to see—”
A barrage of curse words cut off the mother of the groom.
“Charlie is not very happy with the dress I helped her pick out.” Caroline Peevy leaned over to Madison, and lowering her voice she added, “I think the stress of everything is getting to her.” She pointed to a line of dark green shutter doors to the side of the fitting room. “She’s in the first dressing room and won’t listen to anything I have to say, but she might listen to you.” The woman’s lower lip determinedly flattened out, reminding Madison of Nelson. He always got the same stubborn look when Charlie was insisting on having her way.
“Let me talk to her,” Madison offered, tugging at the black
strap of her purse.
Stepping away from Caroline Peevy, Madison went to the first door she came to.
“Charlie, it’s Mads…you okay?”
“No.” Charlie’s voice was faint and childlike, hardly the Charlie she knew and loved.
“Can I come in?”
The door crept open, and when Madison saw Charlie’s tearstained blue eyes, she dashed inside the dressing room and pulled the door shut behind her.
“What is it?”
Charlie pouted and waved her hand down her long white dress. “It’s hideous!”
Madison’s eyes settled on the off-the-shoulder, crystal-beaded gown. A tight bodice cinched around Charlie’s slender waist, and the shiny, silky fabric flared out into a wide skirt with a short train tapering behind. Round crystals were sewn into the bodice in a teardrop design, and then scattered intermittently along the skirt. The overall impression was far from hideous…if anything, Madison believed her friend looked like a princess.
“Charlie, you look absolutely breathtaking.”
“Really?” Charlie’s lips curled into the smallest, hope-filled smile. “You don’t think it’s too much?” She rolled her blue eyes. “Caroline insisted on it and I went along because Nelson said I should, but now I’m afraid I made a huge mistake.”
“No, Charlie, it’s really beautiful. It’s not a mistake. Nelson’s gonna hit the floor when he sees you coming down the aisle in that.”
“Yeah?” Charlie sniffled.
“Yeah!” Madison assertively replied.
Taking in a deep breath, Charlie nodded and then wiped her hands over her face, smudging away her tears. “Okay, I can do this.”
“Of course you can,” Madison encouraged.
“You met Caroline?” Charlie motioned to the shutter door. “What did you think? Monster-in-law?”
“She’s nice, Charlie. You need to cut her some slack.” She waved her hand down the dress. “The woman’s got taste. You look stunning in that dress.”
“Yeah, well,” Charlie turned to the mirrored wall behind her, “I’m not entirely convinced.” She ran her hands over the fabric in the skirt as she glanced back through the mirror at Madison. “I thought you were going to take off work early.”
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