Cruel Temptation: An Age Gap Romance (Cruel Beauty Trilogy Book 1)

by C Standing

  My nipples pebble when exposed to the cool air.

  “I would hope so.”

  Leaning in, Rick presses a toe-curling kiss to my collar bone. “Does he know how perfect you taste?”

  “Yes,” I breathe, arching into his touch. “He told me this morning.”

  Growling, he lowers his mouth to my nipple and swirls his tongue around the hardened peak. “I’m jealous of a man who isn’t even real.”

  Threading my fingers through his hair, I sink my teeth into my lip. “Don’t break the character.”

  “Fuck breaking character, baby.” He slips a hand between my legs. Oh fuuuck. “I need to be inside my girl.”

  “Rick.” Gathering every ounce of strength, I take the hand that’s exploring the wetness between my legs, and move it away. “Please. I want to get to know you, and we can’t exactly do that with your cock inside of me.”

  “Goddammit,” he mutters, his sweats tenting with his arousal. “You’re killing me, woman.”

  “It’s not doing me any favors either.” I give a shaky laugh. “But this is important to me.”

  Groaning, Rick brings his mouth up to mine and presses a loving kiss to my lips. “You know I’d do anything for you.”

  I study him, hiding my smile as he adjusts himself in his sweats.

  “Let me refill your glass, and you can ask me anything you want.”

  “What’s your greatest fear?”

  Chuckling around the rim of his glass, he wipes the spilled alcohol off his chin. “Damn, I didn’t expect that question.”

  We’ve been chatting for over an hour, and so far, I’ve found out he has several houses across the world, but he lives in Malibu. His middle name is Calvin. He doesn’t have a favorite color. He isn’t a music fan, but he’s seen Bon Jovi live twice. He lost his virginity in the janitor’s room when he was fifteen to an Italian exchange student. He supports and donates to several different charities. He doesn’t have any siblings. He lost his parents to old age a few years ago. And he hates avocados.

  I lift a shoulder in a shrug. “No point in beating around the bush.”

  “There’s something incredibly admirable about that.”

  I nudge his knee with my own. “Stop deflecting and answer the question.”

  There’s a hushed air between us as he contemplates his answer, running a hand over his stubble. “It terrifies me that you won’t accept me for who I am…sexually.”

  I sit forward and take his hand, sensing his distress. “What do you mean?”

  “Standard missionary sex bores me, River. I want to feel like a man in my own fucking bedroom. I don’t want to be scared to get a little rough every now and then.”

  “Do I make you feel like a man?” I ask, rubbing his shoulders.

  He stares down at me with adoration in his eyes. “I’m not just a man when I’m with you, baby. I’m a fucking conquerer—a king.”

  “My king,” I whisper proudly, ghosting my lips over his. “Is there anything you’d like to do that we haven’t done?”

  “I need you to promise you won’t hate me if you don’t like my answer,” he mumbles, sounding more vulnerable than I’ve ever heard him before.

  I turn his face to mine. “When have I ever made you feel like that? I think I’ve made it glaringly obvious that I love trying new things with you. Hell, I even have a few things I’d love to try myself.”

  He nods musingly. “Role-play. I want to try role-playing.”

  Is that it?

  What’s so bad about that?

  “I have this fantasy of you coming into my office wearing a slutty little outfit to entice me. You’re this sweet and innocent virgin who’s never even been kissed before, let alone fucked. But you come to me because I make you feel things you’re not used to feeling, and you’re confused. You want me to ease the ache.”

  Hell.

  My eyes cloud over with desire and I gulp hard as I envisage how I can make that happen. Because everything he’s just said needs to fucking happen.

  Going to him while he’s at work and letting him do unspeakable things to me over his desk is such a fucking thrill.

  “Interesting.” My body’s alive with desire, but I block it out because these are the kinds of things I want to know—I need to know. “Anything else?”

  Rick’s eyes snap to mine. “You want me to tell you more?”

  Is he out of his mind?

  “Hell fucking yes.”

  His nostrils flare as his jaw tenses. “Somnophilia.”

  I blink, my brows pinching in confusion. “Sleep sex?”

  Rick nods tersely. “I want to fuck you while you sleep.”

  “Why haven’t you? I’ve been in your bed for the past few days.”

  His fingers draw little circles on my knuckles. “Because it requires consent, baby. I didn’t say anything because I’ve been scared shitless you’d think I was some kind of sick monster.”

  My pussy pulses with need.

  Christ, why did I think this would be a good idea? I should’ve let him fuck me when I had the chance. Then again, I didn’t exactly think this would be our topic of discussion.

  “I definitely don’t think you’re a monster, City Boy. I never could.” Standing up, I climb onto his lap, linking my fingers together around his neck. “In fact, knowing all of this just makes me want you even more. I will never say no to you, Rick. Anything you want to try, we’ll try, okay?”

  “Fuck.” He burrows his head in my chest. “You don’t think I’m a freak?”

  I smack his shoulder. “Don’t insult me. There’s nothing wrong with exploring your sexuality.”

  Frenzied fingers curl around my shoulders, keeping me in place. “God, you’re fucking amazing.”

  Knowing he is so open to trying different things makes me want to expand my horizons as well. “You can do anything you want to me, but I have a couple of things I’d like us to try as well.”

  “Name them.”

  Smirking devilishly, I tip his head up and kiss the column of his throat. “It’s not something I can tell you.” I lick my way up to his lips. “I’d have to show you.”

  After Rick’s little early-morning revelation, I decided I wanted to try one of his fantasies tonight. He’d never really been given the freedom to express himself sexually, and I wanted him to have that power, but only with me.

  My luggage isn’t exactly brimming to the top with sexy lingerie or revealing outfits, because let’s face it, I thought I’d be vacationing alone. Lace bralette and sleep shorts were about as exciting as it got for me. So, I need to remedy that as quickly and as covertly as possible.

  “I can’t believe I have to work late tonight,” he grumbles, stalking into the kitchen with a face like thunder.

  I swear to God, it doesn’t matter how many times I see this guy in a suit, each and every time, it takes my breath away.

  Pouring some coffee into his thermos, I tighten the lid and hand it to him.

  “Why do you have to work?” I hop up on the counter. “Technically, you aren’t even meant to be here.”

  Still vibrating with frustration, he runs his hands up my naked thighs. “Because my employees are incompetent assholes, who can’t wipe their own asses unless supervised.”

  Perfect.

  That gives me plenty of time to do a little shopping, and execute my plan.

  Tugging on his tie, I pull him between my legs. “So, you won’t be here for dinner.”

  A grim look falls over his face. “I’d love to say yes, but I don’t want you to cook anything and have it go to waste.”

  “Oh, it won’t. My husband will be up as soon as you leave.” I tease, knowing it’ll get a rise out of him.

  Growling, he lays a harsh kiss on my lips and swats my ass. “Don’t even joke about that.”

  I snicker and grip the lapels of his jacket. “I was actually just going to pop out. Maybe explore some more of the city.”

  Picking up his briefcase, he grabs an apple
from the fruit bowl. “Do you want me to let Philip know?”

  “Philip?”

  He takes a bite out of his apple. “My driver.”

  I can’t help it, it just slips out. “You have a driver?”

  “Have you tried driving around this place? I’d be gray before my time.”

  I shake my head and pat his chest. “I’m good, I’ll just grab a taxi or something.”

  Rick frowns. “Absolutely not. If you insist on driving, you can take my car.”

  Wait—what? “You have a car and a driver?”

  “Of course.” He pulls out a fancy looking key fob thing, and hands it to me. “For when he has time off. I need to get around somehow.”

  I look down at the badge on the fob. “Wait, what make is this car?”

  “It’s a McLaren.”

  A McLaren? Aren’t they used in formula-one races? “You’re expecting me to drive an F1 car?”

  He chuckles at my lack of knowledge of cars. “It’s not an F1 car, baby. It’s a McLaren 720.” Rick plucks the key out of my hand. “But if you don’t feel comfortable with that kind of speed, I can always call Philip and have him on stand-by.”

  Glowering at him, I snatch it back. “I can handle a little speed,” I retort. “I handle you, don’t I?”

  When this guy fucks, he doesn’t just rattle the bedposts, he rattles your fucking bones.

  “Like a pro, baby.” Rick takes something out of his breast pocket. “Take this with you as well.” He hands me an American Express credit card. “Spend as much as you want.”

  A sinking feeling settles in my stomach as I take in the little plastic card.

  “Rick.” I sigh. “I don’t need your money.”

  “I know you don’t, River. But I want treat you.”

  “Treat me?” I say incredulously. “Rick, you bought me a five-thousand-dollar dress,” I point out. “I think you’ve spoiled me enough.”

  “Technically, your dress was sent over from Versace.” He tries to weasel his way out.

  I brace my hands on my waist. “What about the hair stylist and makeup artist? Did Versace send them over too?”

  “No, that was me.”

  Blowing out a breath, I take his hands in mine. “You’ve done enough, City Boy. I don’t want your money, I just want you.”

  Rick pulls me closer. “And I love you for saying that, but I want you to have this.” I open my mouth to protest, but he presses a finger to my lips. “You don’t even have to use it, just take it. If you see something, buy it. If you don’t, then that’s okay, too. I just want you to have it.”

  I glare down at the expensive piece of plastic. “Fine.” I concede, taking it from him. “But I don’t like this.”

  “Thank you.” Rick presses a kiss to my forehead. “I have to get to the office, but I’ll text you later.”

  “Sounds good.” I lift up on my tiptoes to kiss him.

  Groaning, Rick wraps his arms around me, deepening the kiss before pulling back. “Fuck, I have to go.” He nuzzles my nose. “Miss me?”

  I roll my eyes playfully. “If I have to.” He opens the door and steps out, when a thought pops into my head. “Wait, how are you going to text me? You don’t have my number.”

  Pressing the button to the elevator, he turns and winks as the mirrored doors open.

  He winked?

  Why is he winking?

  Then it dawns on me.

  Those goddamn check-in logs.

  Veering onto 2nd Avenue, I park Rick’s extremely ostentatious McLaren outside of a cute little adult toy store called The Pleasure Chest. Cutting the engine, I grab my purse and open the door. Of course, the doors on this beast open upward, so if I didn’t stand out like a sore thumb before, I certainly do now.

  Pulling on the door to the store, I step inside, and I’m instantly bombarded by the endless rows of sex toys, lubes, and wall-to-wall lingerie sets and outfits.

  On first glance, I can see this place has everything I’m going to need.

  Just as I’m browsing through the first row of display cases, a member of staff approaches me.

  “Hi there. Can I help you?” I’m greeted by a welcoming and friendly smile.

  “Umm.” I look around, tucking a strand of hair behind my ear. “My boyfriend and I are looking to explore our sexual boundaries, but I’m not really sure where to start.” I chuckle, nervously.

  “Okay, no problem.” She grabs a basket and leads me through the elegant looking store. “Let’s just start at the beginning. Is there anything you don’t want to try?”

  Well, shit.

  We haven’t really talked about it, but I’d be pretty open to trying anything with him. However, I can’t speak for him. “Maybe we should start off small and work our way up?”

  “Of course. How about we take a look around the store, and if you see something you like, I’ll explain what it does and answer any questions you may have. How does that sound?”

  “Sounds like a plan.”

  “Awesome.” She smiles brightly.

  Five hundred dollars later.

  It’s a little after eight, the sun has gone down, and the working day is well and truly over. But where is my man? Still stuck behind his desk.

  Not for much longer.

  Wearing a double-breasted duster coat, a black corset style lace bralette, a leather-look pleated mini skirt, and black platform stilettos, I make my way down the hallway leading to his office.

  To anyone else, I look like a woman going out for the evening, with my hair curled in loose ringlets, and my makeup applied in a smoky-eye and matching red lip.

  He wanted me dressed like a slut, and tonight he’s getting it.

  As I enter the main office area, I see a faint light coming from Rick’s private office, but thankfully no-one else is here.

  Grabbing a pile of paperwork from some random employees’ desk, I lightly tap on his door.

  “Come in,” his gruff voice rumbles from the other side.

  Turning the handle, I slink inside and smile when I see my handsome boyfriend hunched behind his desk. Jacket off, sleeves rolled up to reveal those gorgeous tattoos, and buried in piles of paperwork, he makes my whole body tingle.

  “Sorry to bother you, sir. But I was wondering if I could have a few minutes of your time.”

  Sighing, he tosses his pen down and pinches the bridge of his nose. “Go ahea—” His words die on his lips when he looks up and sees me.

  Just like the flip of a switch, his entire body relaxes and his face lights up. “Baby,” he breathes, standing up and coming around the desk. “Fuck, I’ve missed you.”

  I’m about to reply and fall into his arms, when I remember why I’m here.

  “I was hoping you could help me out with something, if you wouldn’t mind?”

  Rick’s brows furrow. “Of course, sweetheart. Anything.”

  Here we go.

  “Well.” I lock the door behind me and step toward him. “It’s kind of a personal matter, not really business related, but it involves you.”

  It takes a second, but suddenly his eyes sparkle with recognition, and like the professional he is, he falls right into character. “Okay, I’m listening.”

  “You see, I’m feeling these weird sensations in my body, and I don’t know what to do about it.”

  His eyes lock with mine as he follows me around the room. “What kinds of sensations?”

  Batting my eyelids innocently, I shrug as I slowly approach him. “I’m not really sure. It’s more of an... ache.”

  His jaw ticks and I watch with satisfaction as his eyes darken with desire. “Could you tell me where you feel these aches, Miss McKinley?”

  I bite my lip and look to the floor, playing the part of the shy little virgin girl who’s never even seen a cock before, let alone fucked one. “Yes.” I bite my lip. “But maybe if you sit down, I could... show you?”

  Swallowing hard, Rick nods briskly. “Of course, Miss McKinley. Perhaps showing me would b
e more effective.”

  He makes his way around the wooden desk to his chair, and my pussy clenches when I notice the thick ridge bulging through his pants.

  God, he’s so big.

  Acting nervous, I edge forward until I’m right in front of him. “May I can sit in your lap, sir? I’d feel more comfortable that way.”

  “Of course,” he replies hoarsely, spreading his legs a little. “Do whatever makes you feel more at ease.”

  Gripping onto his broad shoulders, I straddle him, lowering myself onto his straining cock.

  “Fuck,” Rick hisses, baring his teeth as I press into him a little harder.

  “W-what’s wrong?” I stutter.

  “Nothing,” he grunts through a strained voice, keeping himself completely still. “You were going to show me where you ache?”

  “Can you give me your hands?” I ask, meekly.

  Surrendering them to me, he rasps, “Show me so I can make it better. After all, I wouldn’t want my best employee falling any further behind if I can help it.”

  Unbuttoning my coat, I slip the fabric over my shoulders, revealing the carefully thought-out outfit I’d chosen for him, and bring his palms to my breasts. “Here.”

  Sucking in a sharp breath, he grits his teeth. “How would you like me to make it better, Miss McKinley?”

  My breath leaves me in a whimper as he sweeps a thumb over my engorged nipple. “You’re the boss. I trust you to do whatever it takes.”

  “I have your permission to do whatever I need?”

  Closing my eyes, I nod quickly. “Do whatever you have to do.”

  “I’m just going to lift your top so I can get a better look, okay?”

  Grinding down on him, I let out a breathy moan. “Yes, please.”

  Bringing my top up and over my breasts, his eyes flare at the sight of them. “Do you always come to work without a bra on?”

  Tossing my top to floor, I shrug again. “Lately, it’s been hurting too much.”

  Tweaking my bare nipple, he husks, “You have beautiful breasts, Miss McKinley. Let’s make them feel better, shall we?” I nod. “This will feel a little warm at first, but it’ll ease the ache. I promise.”

  Seconds later, I feel his large hand cup me and his hot mouth envelope my hardened peak.