by Grant, KT
He ripped apart her blouse, ignoring her shocked cry, and tore open her bra. He cupped one breast, pinching her nipple while he manipulated her cunt with his fingers.
“Keep your hands on the wall and stick out your ass,” he commanded. When she didn’t move fast enough, he jabbed her clit in an upward stroke.
Flattening her palms on the wall, she bent forward. She trembled while he rubbed her folds missing her nub purposely. This time was for his enjoyment not hers. He would find his satisfaction, leaving her frustrated and empty as a fitting punishment.
He whispered taunts in her ear, how he’d fuck her in the ass while he whipped her and tied her to his bed, making certain she never came. She would be at his mercy, his to fuck as he saw fit.
She twitched, squirmed. A drop of her arousal seeped down the inside of her leg. He almost dove to his knees to lick it away and eat at her core, but she didn’t deserve it. All for him. Nothing for her.
With no warning other than clutching her thighs, he slammed deep inside her, rocking his hips until her muscles swallowed him.
“Fuck, Erika!” He pummeled her, bearing her up high where her feet barley touched the floor.
She took him all, panting and wheezing as he screwed her, calling her names he never would have before. She responded by digging her nails into the wall and pushing back against him.
“Call me master,” he spat, twisting her face around to his. He didn’t kiss her, but licked her cheek then her lips. Her tongue darted over his, and they tangled together. Not once did his lips meet hers.
“Master,” she moaned, lifting her arms to wrap behind his head. He boosted in his embrace, still inside her as he swung around to carry her to the couch.
Bending her over the arm, he pushed her face first into the cushion, pumping back and forth. The sweet pressure expanded in his back. When her pussy muscles started to milk his cock, he pulled out before she climaxed.
“Max,” she sobbed, hiding her face in her hands.
He kept her stationary with a hand to her back as he came all over her. He stroked his cock from root to tip, marking her ass and legs. When every last drop had been wrung from him, he rubbed his cum into her, slapping her ass cheeks until they grew red.
She lay there silent after he finished. Grabbing a glass of wine, he stumbled over to the dining room table, sitting down heavily before chugging the liquid. Sweat coated him. Damn, he couldn’t catch his breath.
Erika sat up. Her red-rimmed eyes were puffy with dark shadows underneath.
Clasping his half-hard cock, he shook it at her. “Take off the rest of your clothes. Crawl to me on your hands and knees. I want you to suck me off. Then I’m going to take you again, bent over the table, but in your ass.”
She lifted a shaking hand to her forehead. “Are you trying to get back at me? Does it make you feel better?”
He shrugged. “You don’t deserve an answer.”
A cell rang. She straightened. “I have to answer that.”
He rose, ready to find the phone and smash it, but she rushed to her purse. Pulling it out, she answered. A moment later, she crumpled to the floor.
He knelt down next to her, hearing the buzz of a male voice on the other end.
She dropped her phone in her lap, fresh tears filling her eyes. “My father’s dead.”
Chapter Twenty-Four
Erika jumped out of the car and rushed inside the hospital to see her father who was pronounced dead a little over an hour earlier. Ignoring the cramps in her legs and back, and of Max calling after her, she hurried, wiping away the tears on her cheeks.
She stumbled as she ran blindly down the halls to the elevator. Her blouse was missing all the buttons. Her thigh highs had fallen to her knees because her garters had been torn. She couldn’t remember anything after Chris had called to tell her about her father’s death. Max had taken over, dressing her then driving her to the hospital.
When the elevator doors opened, she rushed to the nurses’ desk, meeting a grief stricken Patty. Chris came up behind her, an unsettling look on his face. His eyes were red and damp.
“Honey, we had no idea where you disappeared to.” When the woman caught sight of her face, she gasped. “What in the world happened—?”
“I can’t explain now. I need to see Dad. Take me to him,” she ordered, her mind spinning wildly. She started toward her father’s room.
Chris blocked her. “Your father’s body has been taken away. Why don’t you sit down and I’ll find the doctor—”
“No! I need to see Daddy!” She pounded on his chest.
“Shh, it’ll be all right—” He stiffened then grabbed her around the waist in a tight hold. “What the fuck is he doing here?”
Max marched down the hall, pointing his finger at Chris. “Let her go right now, or I’ll tear your arm off.”
Shoving her behind him, Chris rushed at Max, his fist cocked back, ready to throw a punch.
“Stop!” She ran to them even as Patty tried stopping her.
He shoved Max back. Erika pushed Patty away. Before Max inflicted any harm on his assailant, she got between the two men.
“Not here! Stop being selfish for once, both of you!” She looked around for help.
Chris backed away first, snatching her by the arm. Max took her other arm, and they both tugged. Two security guards appeared, separating the men.
The doctor, who was the first one she’d talked to earlier when her father had been admitted, appeared. “Gentlemen, you’re in a hospital, not a boxing ring. I’m going to have to ask you to leave.” He motioned to two guards with walkie-talkies near the nurses’ station. “Security, escort these men outside. If they give you any trouble, have them arrested.”
Max held up his hands in surrender. “If I’m going, he is, too.” He jabbed a finger at his rival who scowled at him.
“Please, just leave,” she shouted and faced the doctor. “I’m Roger Walsh’s daughter. Can you take me to his…?” She broke down in tears.
Both men turned to her, but security forced them to walk in the direction of the elevators.
Patty waved at Chris. “Go home. I’ll take care of her.”
Before he responded, he was hauled into the elevator. Max was escorted down the stairs. The doctor and Patty accompanied Erika down the hall.
***
Max left a phone message for Erika to call him as soon as possible. Even though he’d been ejected from the hospital, he would wait in the parking garage for her even if he had to stay there all night. He couldn’t take the chance Milton still lurked somewhere, ready to take her home or to his place in the guise of a concerned friend…or lover.
The idea the two might have been lovers brought forth his rage all over again. When she admitted what she’d done with the prick, he’d exploded, his jealousy out of control. Even though her confession had cut him deep, he was willing to forgive all her sins. Since she had forgiven his, it just seemed right.
“You’re delusional if you think she’s going to stay with you.” Milton sauntered toward him with a taunting grin.
He slid his hands in his pockets to stop from punching his adversary in the face. “Who do you think she was with when you called? She told me how you forced her—”
“Forced her?” Laughing, Christopher rocked back on his heels. “I seduced her. If Roger hadn’t fallen ill, I’d be making love to Erika right now. She’s wanted me forever.”
A burning sensation traveled up his arms. He exhaled through his nose to keep his temper in check. His father’s advice ran through his head, “Always stay in control. Never let your enemies see you sweat.” He leaned back against the car, crossed one ankle over the other.
“She may have had feelings for you once, but not anymore.” He grinned. “I was the last one inside her. You’ll never have the chance ever again.”
“Oh, really?” Christopher waved his hand around, acting unconcerned. “And how will you make sure? Kill me like you tired to kill Page?”
“You cold-hearted bastard.” His nemesis cracked his knuckles. “You prey on weak women. Page was one of many. I won’t let you destroy Erika like you’ve done to every woman you’ve fucked and thrown aside.”
“And how are you going to do that, Milton? You forget the power I wield. Out of respect for Page, a woman I did care about once, I gave you a pass even after you ambushed me that night I visited her in the hospital for her suicide attempt. I won’t be so generous with my forgiveness a second time.”
“I don’t need to use violence to succeed. All I have to do is tell her the truth about what you did to Page and all those other women you used, you sick piece of shit. I’ve been keeping a file on you, waiting for the right opportunity to use it.” He crossed his arms. “I had planned on sending it to the press to stop you from moving forward with the takeover of Walsh Publications, but now I think it’s best if I show her. After she reads the reports I have of you beating and degrading all those women, she’ll be sickened. I’ll be there to help her pick up the pieces of her broken heart.”
“You have no clue about my relationship with Erika, do you?” He snorted, ignoring the twinge of worry nudging him. “She’s accepted me, faults and all. Even those sexual preferences you find disturbing.”
“We’ll see, won’t we? I have many more on my side who support me when it comes to Erika’s best interests. She’s dealing with a major loss, a man for whom I held a deep respect and who thought of me as a son. He expected us to marry, and for me to protect her from all harm.” Christopher pulled out a keychain, pressed a button. Three men exited a car and flanked him. “I’ve hired personal security for myself and Erika. If you want to see her, you’ll have to get through me.”
“You think you’re so smart. At some point, she will need me. I’m in her blood, just like she’s in mine. I can bide my time.” Taking out his keys, he unlocked his car. He refused to argue any longer.
“You’ll grow tired and move on to your next conquest.” Christopher held out his hand to one of the men who passed him a phone that looked just like Erika’s. “She dropped her cell in the hallway. One of my men found it and gave it to me for safekeeping. Don’t expect any calls from her. I’ll have a restraining order brought against you if you try contacting her.”
“I’d like to see you try.”
“I have many friends in law enforcement.” The guy shrugged, tucking the phone in his coat pocket.
Max ground his teeth. “So, it’s war between us?”
“If you want to think of it that way, then yes.” Christopher turned to walk away. “Consider it payback for all the suffering you caused my family. Erika is mine.”
Bring it on, asshole. He got into the driver seat and fired up the engine. He curled his hands around the steering wheel, pumping the gas. Backing out with a squeal of his tires, he almost hit one of the bodyguards who remained behind. When the man jumped back, Max smiled and peeled out of the parking lot.
The feud was far from over between him and Milton. Out of respect for Erika’s loss, he wouldn’t bother her. He would give her time—although that pang of uncertainty had grown into full-blown alarm. He hoped she was strong enough to deny Milton through her mourning. If she wasn’t, he would have to make a tough decision that would not just change her life, but his forever.
Chapter Twenty-Five
Sitting in the corner of the couch, dressed in sweat pants and a T-shirt that had seen better days, Erika flipped through her parents’ wedding album. She’d memorized the pictures by heart. When she was younger, she would sneak into her parents’ bedroom and look through the albums. Her mother would find her and explain who the wedding guests were as well as the places and things she and her dad saw on their honeymoon getaway. It never got old for her. Other than this album and a few family ones hidden away, that was all she owned to remember them by.
“I made tea.” Alyson walked out from the kitchen with two mugs.
Taking one, she sipped. “Just plain Earl Grey?”
The redhead sat next to her. “That’s all the tea I could find.”
“Patty always keeps a variety for Dad in the kitchen. You could have gone downstairs for a few bags.” Closing the album, she wrapped her hands around the mug, enjoying the heat seeping into her palms.
Alyson tucked a curl behind Erika’s ear. “Honey, have you been in your father’s apartment since his death?”
“I-I can’t. Not yet. I’m not ready….” She blinked back her tears. God, she was sick of crying, of feeling alone and scared.
“Okay, it’s just been three days. At least you have Chris to help you with the wake and funeral.”
“Yes, he’s been great, even after—” She drank too fast, burning the roof of her mouth. Setting her mug on the table, she drew her knees to her chest. Chris had been a perfect gentleman, going out of his way to make sure she was cared for and never alone for too long. If he couldn’t be with her, Alyson or Kim kept watch.
“After what?” She brushed back another curl.
“We had a fight the night my father died. He said some things that rubbed me the wrong way about….” She sighed and wiped her nose. “Max.”
“Oh?” Her friend drank her tea. “We both know Chris can’t stand him. Also it’s obvious he’s jealous of him since you’re…dating him?” She shook her head. “Or are you lovers?”
She laid her cheek on her knee. “I don’t know what we are. He hasn’t tried to contact me or see me since the night Dad died.”
“Have you tried calling him?”
“On top of everything, I lost my cell. I haven’t had the chance to get a new one. It’s been tough trying to call Max, especially since I don’t have a landline. There’s always someone around. I feel like I’m being watched.”
Alyson grabbed her purse and took out her cell. “Call him on mine. Maybe if you hear his voice, you’ll feel better.”
“I’m not sure if I’ll feel better ever again.”
Someone knocked on her front door. Without waiting for an answer, Kim entered with Chris behind her.
“Erika, you’re awake!” The tall blonde rushed over, giving her a hug.
She welcomed the embrace. “I got up when Alyson stopped by. I don’t know why I’ve been so tired. All I want to do is sleep.”
“You suffered an emotional trauma. Your body and mind need rest.” Dropping his briefcase, Chris folded his hands behind his back. His smile was soft, tender—much like the way he smiled at her in the past. But another story lurked in his eyes. His thoughtful gaze brought a shiver coursing through her again.
“Do you need a blanket? I can get you one.”Alyson went into the bedroom.
He took the opportunity to take the vacated seat. “I’m not sure how to bring this up, but with Kim and Alyson here, you’ll be able to handle it.”
Her stomach cramped, and she exhaled through her nose. She couldn’t take much more of the drama. “Will it make me break down in tears?”
“It might.” He draped his arm over her shoulder. “Roger’s wake is planned for Monday and Tuesday. The funeral will be Friday, his will read on Saturday.”
“Okay.” She rose from the couch and hugged herself. Chris also stood, trying to curve his arm around her waist. Stepping to the side, she went over to Alyson who appeared carrying her long, fuzzy pink robe.
“Not a blanket, but the next best thing.” she helped her slip it on.
“Thanks.” Erika tied the belt then slid her hands in the pockets. “Chris just told me my father’s wake and funeral will be next week. Would it be okay with you if we flew out the Monday after?”
“Flying where?” both the Milton siblings asked at the same time.
She faced the duo. Chris no longer smiled. Kim had a combination of shock and distress on her face.
> “Originally, I had planned to stay with Alyson for a few weeks in January, in part to spend my thirtieth in New Orleans. She’s invited me to stay with her earlier. I decided it’s for the best if I get away from the memories here with my father and everything else. I’m afraid if I stay in the house, I’ll end up having a breakdown.”
“I don’t think you’re suffering is just about your father.” He crossed his arms. Tapping his fingers on his elbow, he gave her a cunning look.
“I’m at a total loss here. What’s going on between you two?” Kim asked.
“We had a disagreement about something we’re still trying to work out.” She arched an eyebrow, daring him to admit the truth behind her statement in front of his sister and her friend.
“Hey Kim, I’m starving. Erika’s kitchen is bare. Want to take a walk with me to the Chinese restaurant a few blocks away, get dinner for everyone?” Alyson suggested.
Kim looked at her brother then Erika, nodding as she did. “Sure. Let’s take a walk.” She grabbed her coat, pulling it on while Alyson did the same.
“Be good you two.” The redhead wagged her finger, following after Kim, and shutting the door behind her.
Silence. The room was a tomb, the walls closing in. It didn’t help with Chris eyeballing her.
“Erika, we should to talk about…things.”
She wasn’t in the mood to talk to him about anything. Resigned to the fact they would be in each other’s company until her friends returned, she sat on the arm of the couch.
“What’s going on in that mind of yours?”
“What do you mean?” she asked.
“You must have a lot on your mind with Roger’s death and—”
“The whole situation with Max, how you almost ruined things between him and me?”
Chris bent forward, resting his elbows on his knees, his forehead furrowing. “I want to protect you like I always have. I admit, I reacted poorly to finding out that you and Crawford are…involved.”
She could have said a million things just then, bringing up what he did to her and her shameful reaction. Instead, she kept quiet, pulling on a stray string on her robe.