by Alexia Praks
My whole body shook and buzzed and my heart raced as I stared at the closed door, James on the other side. I felt the urge to laugh and found it hard to hold back. I managed somehow as I stood there. I’d just provoked James Maxwell and thought what a wonderful feeling it was.
He banged his palm on the door as he ordered loudly, “Mia, open the door!”
I took a step back and slowly smiled. I didn’t reply to his demand as I waited to see what he’d do next.
“Mia?” His voice was louder this time and more demanding. “I said open the door, Mia. You’re not getting away, sweetheart.”
I nervously bit my lower lip as I clutched the bed sheet against me. Shit! My body was still buzzing. What the heck is wrong with me? The thought of being chased by James and then getting caught and ravished was exciting. Was that even normal?
No, it couldn’t be. I needed to cool down. James needed to cool down.
“Go and cool yourself down in your own shower, James,” I said loudly. I hoped he didn’t hear the nervousness within my voice.
His reply was a sarcastic chuckle. Then came another bang at the door that made me jump, in both consternation and exhilaration. Was this part of our game, too? I wondered. Heck, he did want me to refuse him, and I was doing just that and enjoying it, too.
“I said open the door, Mia,” he demanded again, his voice rough and dark.
I shut my eyes, knowing he must be very frustrated indeed. And why wouldn’t he be? Especially with what I’d glimpsed of him as he marched toward me? His manhood was fully aroused and sticking out like a…
I tried to shut the image out of my mind, but it was so hard. Was it even possible for a man’s thing to become that big? It was just ridiculous. I wondered if most were like his.
I licked my dry lip and tried very hard to calm down, knowing what that giant thing could do to me. I was still flustered when I realized it was quiet on the other side of the door. Curiously, I took a step toward the door and leaned in to listen carefully. Nothing. All was quiet on the other side. James, I presumed, had left. So he finally gave up? I would have thought he was more persistent than that.
Much more relaxed now, I threw away the bed sheet and headed into the shower. There, I turned it on and then stepped in, allowing my body to be washed clean. Once I was all wet, I picked up my own shower gel I’d brought along from home and squeezed a big drop into a shower sponge.
As I continued to clean myself and inhale the sweet frangipani scent, I wondered if Mr. Maxwell always liked to have his house stocked. As I’d discovered yesterday, there was enough food to feed a small family for a week, as well as bathroom essentials such as spare toothbrushes and toothpaste. In a way, I felt quite blessed staying in his apartment.
Suddenly, my mind drifted off to Andy again, and my high spirits disappeared.
“Soon, Andy, you’ll be free of that Matt person,” I whispered under my breath as I allowed the water from the shower to pound down on me. Today, I’d get to see him for the first time in months.
* * * * *
CHAPTER 22
Mia
With a big, fluffy white towel wrapped securely around me, I stepped back out into the bedroom. Sure enough, James wasn’t around, and I quickly went in search of my backpack to find my clothes. After retrieving panties, a bra, a pair of jeans that was obviously ripped about the legs, and, of course, a loose T-shirt that was also damaged by that naughty canine Alfie, I rushed back into the bathroom and dressed myself. A few minutes later, as I stared wide-eyed at myself, I wanted to laugh. I looked like some street-rock chick, wearing ripped shirt and jeans with long, wet, wavy black hair. I shrugged my shoulders and thought I looked rather fetching.
Turning on my heel, I headed out the door. As I came down the stairs, I smelled coffee and bacon. James must have been cooking breakfast again. Sure enough, I found him in the kitchen transferring cooked, crispy bacon from a frying pan onto plates.
“Good morning, sunshine,” he said, eyeing me with interest as I descended the last few steps.
The word sunshine tugged something deep within my heart, and I felt weak in the knees. “Morning,” I replied as I hopped onto a barstool.
He poured me a cup of coffee.
“Thanks,” I said.
“You’re welcome,” he stated, smiling.
He appeared to be in a fine mood after what happened in the bedroom only twenty minutes past. I eyed him with interest, too, as I raised the hot cup of coffee to my lips. I noted his dark hair was wet and that he had on a pair of jeans and a simple T-shirt. Despite the fact he wasn’t in a suit, he still looked as handsome as hell.
After the thorough examination of his person, I decided then he must have had a cold shower to cool himself down as I’d suggested. Oddly enough, I felt a little disappointed about that, and I had no idea why.
He placed a plate in front of me. In it was a portion of scrambled eggs, three pieces of crispy bacon, and two slices of toast. I blushed as I stared at the delicious meal.
“Thanks,” I said, thinking I should have been the one who did the cooking since I was the freeloader after all.
I’d always cooked back home for both myself and Andy. I was quite an excellent cook, even though I wasn’t allowed to show off my talents at the restaurant. The reason? I was a girl and I wasn’t a chef from a prestigious school and, therefore, must not know how to even fry an egg. At least Andy appreciated my food, and that was good enough for me.
“What’s wrong?” James queried.
“Huh?” I raised my eyes to him. “Nothing. Hum, I was just thinking about Andy.”
He snorted. “Andy again, huh?”
He looked a little pissed at the mention of my brother. Then I thought I’d better remind him of his promise. “You said you’d take me to see—”
He cut me off. “I got it. I got it.” He took a sip of his own coffee.
I returned my attention to my meal and then started chomping everything down. I was very surprised indeed that I was actually hungry.
The sound of a male chuckle reached my ears, and I raised my face with a questioning look. “What?”
James said, “Did I tire you out that much?”
The moment I understood the meaning behind his words, my face reddened with embarrassment. “You’re a beast, James. How can you be so energetic?”
“I’m a man, Mia,” he stated, as if that were indeed very obvious and would explain his wolfish behavior in bed and the need to spread his seed. “Now move in closer so I can kiss you.”
I paused and put down my knife and fork. Then I straightened my back. As I leaned toward him, I noted the smirk on his face, as if to tell me I was a very obedient child indeed.
I stopped and said, “No.”
His eyes lit with fire in an instant. I knew it was dangerous to disobey him. But heck, I couldn’t resist. I flew off the barstool before he had the chance to grab me. Then I raced back farther away from him. When I stopped in the middle of the living area and faced him, I noted he was in the process of coming after me. I panicked, but at the same time, I felt this sort of thrilling excitement within me, too. What was wrong with me? Why did I feel so excited all of a sudden?
I said, “You told me to disobey you. So I’m doing just that.”
He stopped in his tracks at my blunt statement, and then a slow smile spread across his face. He suddenly looked so dark and dangerous that I knew the game had only just begun and he was the one in charge. My body shuddered with delight at the thought that soon, he’d make me do things I didn’t want to do but had to, that I had no choice in the matter, and what really mattered was I obeyed his every command. Shit! Was it normal to feel enthusiastic about that?
James came around the counter area and headed toward me. When I saw him fully, I sucked in my breath. Shit! Shit! Shit! Oh Mother of God! He hadn’t cooled down at all. The bulge in his pants was still there, and I cursed myself for not noticing it earlier.
Well, I reasoned with myse
lf, how could I have noticed when he was standing behind the kitchen cabinets? I couldn’t possibly see the lower half of his body. And now he was ready to stamp his mark on me again.
I’d only met him two days ago and we’d only signed the contract yesterday. Already, he’d taken me three times, once straight after the contract yesterday and twice last night. Now so early in the morning, he was going to do it again?
“James?” I whispered, my throat suddenly dry as dust.
His response was, “I love that smell on you, Mia. What is it?”
“Huh?” I was confused. God, I couldn’t think straight.
He was slowly making his way toward me like a predator hunting its prey. I felt quite helpless and trapped, yet… yet quite lovely, too. My body became weak and willing all of a sudden as I took a step back.
“Mia? Tell me what’s that smell on you,” he demanded again, coming closer toward me.
Even in this state of bewilderment, I was still going to provoke him, as he’d ordered me to do. Thus, I held my head high and haughtily said, “Find out yourself.”
He stopped suddenly as he cocked his head to one side, his eyes intense on me. I blushed when I noticed the bulge in his pants was getting even bigger. Shit! Then it hit me. Was me playing hard to get turning him on? Was that why he made me disobey him? That realization made my core burn hot with excitement.
Oh God! I just realized that I, too, got turned on by playing the weak, resistant maiden who’d be ravished in the end anyway. No, it couldn’t be. It couldn’t be true that I liked being chased. Was this even normal?
“Mia?”
I jumped at his dark voice. “Yes, James?” I replied, a docile look in my eyes as I gazed at him through my lashes.
“Strip for me,” he ordered.
I blinked. “What?”
“I want to find out what that smell is. Strip for me,” he commanded.
I licked my lip again, my hands slowly moving to the hem of my shirt. I rubbed the cotton material between my fingers and thumbs, contemplating whether to obey his order or not.
“James?” I queried meekly.
“Yes, Mia?”
“You didn’t cool yourself down at all, did you?” I was playing with the material of my shirt now as I gazed at the floor.
He chuckled. “No, I didn’t.” He came toward me as he said, “I kept thinking about your obedient body, about your cute breasts and your tight little ass. I kept thinking about your wet pussy and how much I want to fuck you.”
My body shuddered at his blunt explanation and my face burned red. I raised my eyes and glared at him. “Why do you have to use such foul language?” I demanded.
He arched a brow at me. “The shower didn’t help,” he admitted. “Now come here and let me find out what that smell is.”
I frowned, pissed all of a sudden. “Why do you want to smell it so much? That scent?” I couldn’t help but ask.
“Because I like it,” he stated bluntly.
I pursed my lips. That cursed frangipani scent. That cursed shower gel I’d brought from Mystic Spring. I had no idea it could cause so much trouble. I liked smelling nice, though, and it was the cheapest option out of all the other shower gels, too.
I released my shirt then and turned on my heel. I decided on another tactic. I changed the subject completely. To one I knew got on his nerves.
“Aren’t you going to take me to see Andy? It’s getting late, isn’t it?” I headed toward the stairs, hoping like hell the subject of my brother would make him livid, and that strong emotion would annihilate his arousal. I was pretty sure getting someone pissed would definitely slaughter that mood.
“I’ll get my bag,” I added as I ascended the steps.
I didn’t dare turn to look at him. I was too afraid of what I’d see. Had my smart tactic somehow managed to douse his excitement? Yet the thought of his desire for me completely dissipated disappointed me.
I was halfway up the stairs when I heard a growl, followed by, “Fuck, woman, you’re too good at stirring me up.”
I gasped at the rude insult and twisted in anger. The moment I saw him coming after me, my anger scattered into the air, and a mixture of fright and excitement erupted within me. I took action immediately and raced up the rest of the steps as fast as I could.
James laughed sarcastically, loud and clear, as he chased after me. “Mia,” he called out.
I arrived on the landing and then rushed toward my bedroom door. I didn’t make it in time, though. James caught me by the arm and spun me around. In one smooth motion, he scooped me up in his arms and headed straight to his own room.
“James?” I queried, my heart pounding. “I thought you’d calm down. You promised to take me to see my brother.”
He ignored the subject of my brother and said, “The only way to calm me down is you.”
“Aren’t there other ways?” I asked naively.
He looked at me then, and a slow, sly smile appeared on his face. “I’ll show you how one day, and you can assist me.”
I regretted asking that question instantly. The look on his face made me utter, “No. No, that’s fine. No need to show me.”
“Oh, but I insist,” he said. “Now let’s find out what that scent is.”
He deposited me on the length of his bed as I said, “You can find that out yourself. It’s in the bathroom, on a shelf.” I pointed toward the door of my own room, hoping like hell he’d take the bait.
He didn’t. “Oh, I will.” He leaned forward and kissed me on the forehead gently, like that time in the motel. It was a kiss so warm and sweet it took me by surprise. For a small moment, I felt a warm glow like the sun shining within me. I blinked, my heart racing and my mind wandering.
“I’ll find out right here on you,” he said, his large hands cupping my face. Then his lips found mine, and he kissed me passionately.
My body was on fire, and I melted into him. Suddenly, he became all rough and mean; his tongue wild and demanding, thrusting against me so hard I couldn’t breathe. Meanwhile, my core twisted and burned with needs.
“Ngh… Ah… Uh… Mmm…” I groaned. “Ja-James… Ngh…”
He released me from his hot kiss then and turned his attention to my body.
I was breathing heavily as he stroked my collarbone slowly, marveling at the structure as if he were very fascinated by it. Suddenly, his hand was on the material of my shirt, and in one smooth motion, he ripped the cotton fabric to pieces, tearing it off my body.
“James!” I shrieked.
Oh my God! This man acted like a barbarian, tearing at my clothes. Even his kisses and hands were rough and demanding, every action urgent and quite brutal. He was worse than last night. What had I done to make him this way? Or was it anything I’d done at all? Was he just now showing me another side of him? Suddenly, I got a bit freaked out at that thought.
A sly smile played across his lips as he touched my bra. I knew without a doubt what was going to happen. Thus, I hastily slapped away his hand and scurried away from him. I didn’t get far, though. He caught me by the small of my waist, pulled me back to him, and pinned me on the bed. As I struggled below him, he snuggled his aroused shaft between my legs.
I gasped. “Huh!”
Oh God! Oh God! Oh God! He was so warm, hard, and big. And my stupid body responded to him, twisting and burning with need and anticipation.
He chuckled as if he really were enjoying the situation tremendously. Truth be told, I found it quite delightful as well. Only I was pissed, too. It was so unfair. He’d just ripped my very last wearable shirt, and if I didn’t stop him, he’d destroy my last bra, too. Thus, I fought him, but my comeback didn’t last long. In an instant, he had his hand cupped on my breast, and then in one forceful movement, he ripped the bra off me.
I gasped, but my sound of protest was muffled by the greeting of his lips against mine. “Ngh… Ngh…”
He plunged his tongue into my mouth and wildly devoured me. I tried to deflect him,
but it was no use.
“Ngh… Ngh…” I groaned again and again. Oh God. Oh God. I couldn’t help it. His kiss was both barbaric and wonderful, and I couldn’t resist him. A part of me, however, still defied him, if only to make him that little more ruthless in his treatment, though I had no idea why I wanted that.
My hand thrust at his chest, trying to shove him off me. He caught both my wrists in an instant and secured them over my head, his hand tight on me. With the other, he trailed down my body and slipped into my pants.
When he finally let my lips go, I was breathless and more than a little dazed. My face was flushed and my eyes glazed over with the intense sexual need within me. My body buzzed and tingled all over, and I couldn’t stop moaning and groaning. I wanted more. I wanted him to lick me and bite me. I wanted him to devour me and take me in every which way. More than anything else, I wanted him to fuck me in the most primal, brutal way he desired.
That thought made me breathless and dizzy. I wanted James to do the most inappropriate, painful things to me?
I gasped and my body shook in a cold sweat. What had James Maxwell done to me? He turned me into a wonton wench. He made me lose all innocence and morality.
“You’re already wet and ready for me,” he said softly, interrupting my panic attack.
“Huh?” I made an incomprehensible sound. “Ahh…” I sucked in my breath as he played with my folds. I bit my lower lip, trying to force myself to make him stop, but my body shuddered and wouldn’t listen to my command.
“Such a good body,” he praised.
I gazed up at him, my body weak and willing as he continued to enjoy tormenting me, his fingers bathing in the thickness of my wetness.
“Oh… James…” I murmured under my breath.
“Hmm…” He chuckled. “Such a good girl,” he said. “Listening to my every command. Such a sensual body.” He sounded pleased.
He dipped his head and kissed my breast gently. Then he took the nipple into his hot mouth and proceed to lovingly abuse it; sucking, licking, nibbling, and biting the sensitive bud as I cried out in exquisite agony.