by Hannah Ford
The rapid pounding of my heartbeat slowed in my ears.
The spots had turned to blackness and it crept across my eyes.
My hands fell to my sides. There was no feeling left inside me. I felt like I was floating. And then...I was choking on oxygen. I slumped down the wall with nothing holding me up now. Sounds filtered into my head. Thumps. Voices. With each breath my vision cleared. Feeling returned to my limbs and I pushed up on shaky arms. Two figures were tangled together in the middle of the room. Fists hitting bone. Grunts and groans. My knees shook as I pushed to my feet.
I felt along the wall until I found the light switch. Bright light bathed the room and I blinked as the brightness made me temporarily disoriented.
The two men fighting in the motel room were Madden and Jacob. I blinked again, wondering if I was dead and this was some last-minute hallucination my brain had created as I lay dying.
It made no sense. How could Madden Cross be in this room right now?
But he was in the room, and he was like something otherworldly, fighting and beating the most horrifying human being I’d ever come across in my entire life.
Madden kicked Jacob in the thigh with a sound like a hatchet hitting a tree trunk. Jacob’s face scrunched and he let out a howl of desperate pain that sent a thrill up my spine.
As Jacob bent down to clutch at his wounded leg, the billionaire let forth a punch that crashed into Jacob’s jaw, sending him stumbling backwards, his head snapping viciously from the force of the blow.
Blood ran down the side of Jacob’s face and I could see the swelling already.
Madden moved forward like a man possessed and drove his fist into Jacob’s gut, sending him slamming into the chair near the door.
Jacob lunged at Madden, who backed away as if to avoid a retaliatory punch. In the brief pause in the action, Jacob pulled open the door, then glared at me while wiping his hand across his bloodied nose.
The true insanity I’d always known was beneath the surface, danced in Jacob’s eyes now, completely unhinged. He was as insane as any serial killer.
Madden lunged at him and Jacob ducked out of the door.
“If I ever see you again, I will fucking kill you,” Madden shouted out into the night. The door swung closed and he turned to me. “Jesus Skylar, are you okay?”
I opened my mouth to answer, but all that came out was a hoarse ragged sob. If Madden hadn’t showed up when he did, I’d be dead. The realization of just how close I’d come made me weak.
My knees gave out and I sank to the floor.
Tears streamed down over my cheeks and I stared at my hands as I began shaking more than I’d ever shaken, like I’d been out in sub zero temperatures for hours.
Almost instantly, strong arms wrapped around me and lifted me up. Madden cradled me against his chest and I could hear his heart pounding furiously under my ear. “You’re going to be okay,” he murmured. “I’ll never let him get near you again.”
His body shuddered and he held me tighter. I nestled as close as I could get and closed my eyes. He moved across the room and I heard the door open. Cool air rushed into the room.
“My bag,” I rasped out. My neck throbbed painfully.
Madden eased me down into the chair and went to where I pointed, picking up the fallen bag and bringing it over to me. I slid the strap over my shoulder and when I tried to stand, he swooped in and lifted me again. Once more he opened the door and stepped out into the night. A few cars away I saw someone pointing a camera at us and I ducked my head, burying my face in the crook between Madden’s neck and shoulder.
His grip tightened and he turned his body sideways to keep me out of view of the camera. His steps were strong and sure until he stopped next to a sleek black sports car that was parked sideways across two spots in the middle of the parking lot.
He opened the passenger door and carefully set me inside. I sank down into soft black leather and then the door shut. His car smelled like a mix of his cologne and something spicier. Something wild. He slid into the driver’s seat and the car came to life with a purr. The seatbelts slid into place around us just as the car jerked forward with a roar now.
The dash lights illuminated the outline of his face. His jaw was clenched tight and I could see the muscles there ticking. He was very angry. I should have listened to him earlier. I should have let him take me away, take me somewhere safe and protected. But my pride had gotten the best of me.
“I’m sorry.” My throat was sore and it felt raw every time I swallowed.
His gaze swung to mine and I could practically hear his teeth grinding together. “I heard you scream.” his voice cracked and went hoarse. “I thought I was too late. For fuck’s sake Skylar, what were you thinking? He’s the reason you freaked out over the engagement being public? You were worried he’d find you?”
Fresh tears burned my eyes. I nodded. There was no reason not to tell Madden the truth now. Not after he beat the crap out of Jacob and risked is own life to save mine.
“Jacob’s my ex. I left him a week ago and drove as far as I could to get away from him. I didn’t get very far. But I was working at your building, cleaning the offices to make enough money to go further away, then find a new place and keep doing the same thing until...”
The truth was, I hadn’t really thought to question just how far away from Jacob would be far enough, or how I could ever truly feel safe. No matter how many miles I put between us, I’d always have to look over my shoulder.
I knew that now.
“You don’t have to run anymore and you don’t have to worry about him.” Madden’s knuckles tightened and turned white around the steering wheel. “I’ll make damn sure of that.”
“He’s a cop. He has ways…”
“No. Skylar, you don’t have to worry. I’m going to take care of it.” Steely determination hardened his jaw and when he glanced over at me, there was fierceness in his eyes I couldn't deny. I’d only know Madden a couple of days, but I knew that when he said something, he meant it.
Madden wanted to give me my life back. I reached over and laid my hand on his thigh. The muscles under my fingers went taut.
“Thank you for being here. For doing what you did tonight. Nobody’s ever done something like that for me.”
He pressed down on the accelerator and the car shot forward. This time of night there was little traffic.
“Where are we going?” I asked, feeling my body slowly starting to relax as the adrenaline wore off.
“Somewhere safe,” he replied, simply.
It turned out somewhere safe was a fancy five-star hotel that wasn’t far away.
He pulled up to the front and jumped out, tossing the valet his keys. Then he opened my door and scooped me out before I could stand up.
I didn’t question how he already had a room at this place. Madden Cross likely had homes, apartments and hotel rooms all across the country that he could use at a moment’s notice.
“I can walk,” I protested.
“Maybe. But you could be hurt and so I’m going to carry you.” He strode inside and I tried to ignore the curious glances being thrown our way.
The truth was, part of me liked how it felt to be held this way, despite the embarrassment.
“Send up a doctor,” he barked at the concierge before stepping into the elevator.
“I don’t need a doctor. A drink of water maybe, but I’m fine. And you can put me down now.” I lifted my head away from his shoulder and found myself only inches from his face. Despite my protests, I tightened my grip on his neck.
His eyes darkened and he tilted his head, bringing his lips closer. “It would make me feel better to have an expert weigh in on whether or not you’re okay. For my own peace of mind.”
Hot breath washed over my lips and an ache started in my lower stomach. It would only take a fraction of an inch more to press my lips to his. Anticipation made my skin tingle. Awareness rushed through my veins like fire.
I tugged at t
he back of his hair and a low growl came from his throat. His eyes flashed. “You’re playing with fire.”
Hardness dug into my hip and I tilted my head so that I could brush my lips over his throat. His fingers dug into my waist. I shifted, settled firmer against his straining cock.
“Skylar.” The warning was clear in his voice, but it only excited me more. I wanted him. I needed him--right now more than ever.
The elevator dinged softly and opened. He carried me to our room and only when we were inside did he finally set me down. His gaze moved over my face as if he were looking for something.
My breath was shallow and he tilted my chin up. He scowled and swore and took my hand, leading me into the living room. Once he had me seated, he kneeled between my legs and again tilted my head from side to side.
“Your neck is bruised. I can see where that bastard had his fingers around your throat. I should have killed him.” His touch was gentle, completely opposite of the storm raging in his eyes.
And I knew from the way he said it, from the look on his face and the way he’d fought in that motel room that Madden wasn’t making an idle threat.
For the first time ever, a small part of me was actually worried for Jacob. As much as I hated and feared him, I didn’t want to be the cause of his death. Nor did I want Madden to do anything so rash.
I didn’t want to think about what almost happened tonight. I didn’t want to dwell on being so close to death. I wanted to live. I reached up and laid my hand along Madden’s strong jaw. The muscles under my fingers twitched. Stubble abraded my fingertips as I stroked along the hard planes of his face.
I heard his sharp intake of breath when I brushed my thumb over his bottom lip.
“Are you sure?” he asked. “I don’t want to do anything that might hurt you.” He ran a gentle finger over the ridges of my collarbone. I sucked in a breath and closed my eyes, but then forced them open again.
“I need to feel something...not bad,” I admitted. “I feel safe with you and I’ve been scared for what seems like forever and I just want to know that everything isn’t bad. That I can feel something good again.”
Madden cupped my face between his hands and leaned forward, brushing his lips over mine. “I promise I will only ever make you feel good, Skylar.” His mouth opened over mine and he swiped his tongue over the seam of my lips. I opened immediately, needing to feel a connection with him.
He groaned and slipped one hand behind my neck, holding me firmly but gently while he deepened the kiss. I tangled my tongue with his, pushing back until he growled deep in his throat and took full control.
I slid from the sofa and straddled his thighs. A dam burst inside me and I couldn’t get enough. I wrapped my arms around him, drove my fingers into his hair and rocked my hips. This was what I needed. I felt so alive with him and I had to have that connection.
His hot mouth slid from mine and trailed down over my neck, gently to barely a touch when he rained kisses over the place where I was bruised. I drew in shallow breaths that hitched in my chest when he ran his hands down my sides, then back up under my shirt. Fingers splayed over my skin, pushing upwards and taking my top with them slowly.
Cool air washed over my heated skin. I held my arms up so that he could push my shirt up and off. He dragged his fingers down over my arms and then along my ribs. When he slipped them under the thin fabric of my bra and brushed his thumb across both nipples, I arched back.
A low moan came from deep inside me.
With a flick, he opened the clasp and slipped my bra free. Now his mouth was moving down my chest. His lips creeping closer to the aching tips that he manipulated so masterfully. The first swipe of his tongue sent electricity flashing through me. I groaned and grabbed his head, pulling him closer, begging without saying anything.
He used his teeth to gently bite down and a new kind of shock shot right between my legs. “Oh god.”
He nipped and soothed until I couldn’t sit still. Need pulsed through me and I needed friction. No matter how I moved, how I rocked my hips, it wasn’t enough. Madden growled around my nipple and the next suck was a fraction harder. Pain tinged pleasure like I’d never felt before zinged through me.
“Madden,” I begged, but I wasn’t exactly sure what I was asking for. I just wanted more of him.
He gathered me close and whispered, “hold on,” then he moved to his knee then up to his feet. I wrapped my legs around his waist and threaded my hands behind his neck. IN this position, I could feel the bulge of his cock pushing on the spot that was throbbing for attention. By the time he made it to the bedroom, I was panting. And already so close.
When he eased me to my feet, I almost cried.
He cupped my face and kissed the corners of my mouth before sliding his tongue between my lips. He stroked in lazy circles, exploring my mouth at his leisure while I did everything I could to make him lose control.
It didn’t work. He was taking his time and nothing I did could change it.
When I tugged on his hair he pulled back to look at me. His eyes were almost black and filled with a hunger that made my knees weak.
“I want you,” I breathed out.
“And you’ll have me,” he murmured back, “but first I want to touch every inch of your body. I want to know what your skin tastes like everywhere. Then I want to take you to the edge and then sink inside you as you break apart around me. Over and over again.”
“God you’re killing me.” The first time we had sex had been intense and wild and the second time had been Madden proving a point. But tonight it was different. I could feel it already. And his words stoked the fire building inside me like gasoline.
I slid my hands down and tangled my fingers with his. Then I moved them up until he was cupping my breasts and instead of letting go, I began to squeeze and move mine that rested on top of his.
Madden groaned deep in his throat. His gaze burned into mine and I leaned forward and ran my tongue along his bottom lip. Control shifted and he pressed me back until my legs hit the edge of the bed. I fell back and his fingers were at the clasp of my pants, pulling them and my panties down over my legs. I lay sprawled on the bed naked while he stood over me completely dressed.
He lifted my legs until my feet rested on the bed then eased my thighs open. I waited, breath stuck in my throat, for him to touch me. When he finally did I groaned in frustration. He made light circles on the inside of my thighs, inches from where I really wanted him to touch. I shifted my hips and chased after his fingertips, but he’d only move them away.
“Touch me,” I ground out. “I…I need to feel you.”
He met my stare and brushed his thumb over my wet folds, sliding his thumb up over my overly sensitized clit. I lifted my bottom half off the bed and cried out when he went back to my thighs. Every nerve ending in my body was strung tight. Between my legs throbbed with need.
“Please, Madden,” I gasped, feeling like I might sob from the unquenched desire.
Again he ran his finger through my wetness and flicked my clit. Stars danced behind my eyelids. He was making me crazy. I begged, pleaded with him to touch me again, but he stood upright and simply looked down at me spread open below him.
I reached for him and he took my hand, then brought it to his mouth and one by one, took my fingers inside. I felt the roughness of his tongue before he nipped the plump flesh at the end of each finger. The whole time he kept his gaze locked with mine.
It was the most intimate thing I had ever experienced and I felt as if I were wide open and raw. Exposed. He gently set my hand on the bed and reached for the buttons on his shirt. One by one they opened until he tugged the ends free from his pants and tossed it aside. His belt came next, then his pants. I heard them hit the floor with a soft thump.
Then he bent down, touching me again, but this time it started at my ankle. By the time he kissed his way to my hip, I couldn’t breathe. Then he did the same thing with my other leg. I moved restlessly on the bed but he
didn’t speed up his attention. He took his time and got to know every inch of my body, just like he’d promised.
When his lips finally took mine once more, I arched up and gave him everything I had.
It felt like it had been years—decades—since I’d felt his lips on my lips.
My body shook with need and I knew he could feel it. He brushed his palms over my nipples, whispered words I didn’t even hear through the haze of desire.
He was playing me like a master and I could do nothing but let him.
I thought I couldn’t take anymore, thought that I was at my limit but Madden continued pushing my limits. He flipped me onto my stomach and then followed a path back down my body, nipping and kissing and licking along my spine. Sensation flooded through me and a constant moan filled the room.
I was dripping now.
I lifted my hips and he nibbled his way down over one cheek, then back up the other. I was so wet and desperate for him to touch me where I needed it most, but he avoided the spot between my legs, and instead, ran his lips everywhere else.
After he reached my ankles again, he gently flipped me onto my back and leaned over me. His eyes here black and filled with a hunger I’d never seen in them before. He stroked over my body with his gaze.
“I need you,” I whispered. I held my arms out to him and tears of want burned my eyes. “Please.”
He tore open a condom and rolled it over his cock, stroking the length as he watched me, but still not touching me. I was willing to do anything, say anything if he would just give me what I needed.
“Madden.”
His eyes grew stormier and he sucked air into his lungs. With his free hand, he reached down and slid his fingers through my slick folds. My hips jerked and I cried out. The bed dipped and he knelt between my legs, still running his fingers up and down slowly. Every time he brushed my clit, I cried out louder.
Sweet tension built and I strained toward him. I rocked my hips, did anything I could to make it happen faster. His eyes never left my face while he brought me closer and closer to the edge.
I spread my knees as wide as they could go and my body shook. My fingers clenched around the sheets. Words fell from my lips, begging, pleading with him not to stop. I was right there, teetering on the edge.