Next to Never: Shattered Innocence Trilogy

by Long, A. L.

  “That sounds like a plan. Give me a call on Thursday and we can go over the details… and, Dylan, I’m happy for you.”

  Dylan ended her call. She thought about what Lilly said. Maybe she shouldn’t trust Rade like she did. She didn’t have a reason not to. Rade had been nothing but nice to her, even if he was a little overbearing. She knew he cared about her. Last night when he made love to her, he was so tender and concerned about hurting her. It was amazing. It felt good to finally feel alive again. Rade had done this for her. She just hoped she wasn’t putting herself out there to get hurt again.

  *****

  Richard pulled up to the Northgate building and got out of the car to greet Dylan in the lobby. Rade would’ve greeted her himself, but he couldn’t risk Sam recognizing him. There would be too many questions, and he wasn’t ready to answer them just yet. It was better if Dylan didn’t know he owned Northgate. He wanted to keep it that way, at least for a little while longer.

  When Rade saw Richard and Dylan exit the building, he opened his door and slipped out of the seat to greet her.

  “Sorry I didn’t come in, but I got an important call I needed to finish.” Rade knew this was a lie, but it was better than what might have happened had he met her in the lobby.

  “That’s okay. I know you’re a busy man.” Dylan really didn’t give it much thought.

  “We have one stop to make before we go to dinner, if that’s okay with you,” Rade said as he took her hand in his.

  “Okay, but where are we going?” she questioned.

  “It’s a surprise, Sweetness,” he said as he lifted her delicate hand to his lips and kissed her softly.

  Dylan had no idea what Rade was up to, but given the day she had, nothing was going to ruin it.

  Richard made his way through downtown Manhattan. The traffic was horrible. Dozens of horns were honking from impatient drivers trying to get where they needed to go. Richard ignored the sounds as he weaved in and out of traffic. Once they were finally out of the city, Richard made a right turn and continued driving. Dylan wasn’t sure where they were headed, but it looked like they were going to a smaller business district outside of the city. When Richard pulled into an import car dealership, Dylan just about lost it. “Rade, what are we doing here?”

  “Dylan, I told you I didn’t want you taking a cab or the subway to work, therefore I will be buying you a car,” Rade said matter-of-factly.

  “Rade, I don’t want you to buy me a car. You have done so much for me already. With the money I am going to make at my new job, I’ll be able to buy my own car.”

  “That’s not the point, Dylan. I want to do this for you and I am more financially able to.”

  “Fine, but I am going to pay you back every cent,” she said knowing she would never win.

  Looking at her, he didn’t have to say anything, his expression said it all. There was no way he was going to allow her to pay him back. He would let her think what she wanted, but in the end, she would find he wouldn’t be accepting any money from her.

  Once inside, they were greeted by a salesman Rade obviously knew. Rade held out his hand and shook the gentleman’s hand.

  Looking at Dylan, Rade introduced the man. “Dylan, I’d like you to meet Zach.” Dylan held out her hand. Instead of the man shaking it, he grabbed it with both hands and held her hand in his.

  “So this is the special lady. I was told we needed to take special care of you.” Zach let go of Dylan’s hand and looked at Rade. “Rade, we have the car ready per your request.”

  Rade and Dylan followed the salesman to the service center where her car was waiting. Dylan was wondering what kind of car would be there. She was starting to stress about how much this car was going to cost her.

  When the salesman opened the doors to the service center, Dylan couldn’t believe her eyes. In front of her was a brand new black AWD Bentley Continental GT. She began to panic, knowing how much this car cost.

  “Rade, are you crazy? I’m never going to be able to pay you back for this car. Even if I worked day and night.” She took in a deep breath trying not to hyperventilate.

  Unable to understand her reasoning, Rade replied in a firm tone. “Dylan, I don’t expect you to ever pay me back. Your safety is all I care about, no matter what the cost.”

  “But this… this is too much,” she pleaded.

  “Look, Dylan, I am not going to argue with you over this. It’s done.” He ended, confirming his decision.

  Dylan was asserting her disagreement with him when he took her in his arms and planted a domineering kiss on her lips. The kiss was so powerful, she thought she was going to fall back. Luckily, he had his arms wrapped tightly around her waist, preventing her from moving. “Don’t make me angry, Dylan. You wouldn’t like me if I got angry.”

  Dylan pushed away from him, leaving him standing in the service garage. She was so pissed, she couldn’t think straight. His controlling behavior just confirmed she needed to find her own place where she could make her own decisions. Rade’s true colors were starting to show. When Dylan got to the car, she opened the door to the back seat. She was so angry, she didn’t even wait for Richard to open it for her. She had been sitting in the car for a couple of minutes when Rade showed up. He opened the door and advised Richard to proceed to the restaurant where he made reservations for dinner. Dylan was in no mood to have dinner with him. She lost her appetite.

  “Rade, if you don’t mind, I think I would rather just go home and skip dinner.”

  Rade looked at Dylan with regret. He might have pushed too far. He didn’t want her day to end on a bad note. She was so happy when he picked her up and now she was upset over him purchasing a car for her.

  “Dylan, I’m sorry for making you upset and saying what I did, but you have to understand, I’m accustomed to having the very best. Sometimes it might seem a little over the top for you, but this is who I am. It’s just a car, Dylan, nothing more.”

  Still looking away, unable to face him, she once again pleaded with him. “Rade, I can’t accept such an expensive car. I will never be able to pay you back. I have always been taught to stand on my own two feet and never accept anything that I otherwise couldn’t afford myself. This is who I am.”

  “Then think of it as a loaner, Dylan, until you can save up for a car of your own. At least one I see fit to keep you safe. It’s all about compromise.” Rade was willing to give in. Holding out his hand to her he said, “Deal?”

  Dylan didn’t want to argue with him, but it was the only way she could express how she felt. She took his hand in acceptance of their deal. “Okay, but just till then.”

  Rade cupped Dylan’s chin and softly kissed her on the lips. Her mouth opened for him as he slowly slipped his tongue inside. He loved how her mouth felt on his, the way she gently sucked his tongue while he explored her warmth. He could hear her soft whimpers as he nipped her bottom lip. That sound alone made him hard. If he didn’t stop now, he would be taking her. He wasn’t willing to do this in the back seat of the Bentley. “If we don’t stop, Sweetness, I won’t be able to control myself from taking you here.” Rade removed his hand from Dylan’s face and rested it on her knee.

  Before they both knew it, Richard pulled in front of the restaurant. Rade told him that there was no need to get out and that he wouldn’t need his assistance. Richard just nodded as they exited the car.

  Before shutting his door, Rade turned to Richard. “You can come back for us in an hour. If we are not ready by then, please just wait for us.”

  Richard nodded again. “Very well, sir.”

  The restaurant seemed to be hopping. Once again, the hostess greeted Rade by name and showed them to their table. What the hell? Does everyone know Rade Matheson? Dylan’s thoughts began going all over the place. As they placed their order, Dylan watched as the waitress paid Rade a little more attention than was needed. Rade, of course, was taking it all in.

  By the time their dinner arrived, Dylan had forgotten about thei
r little show. She concentrated on the wonderful meal instead. “Rade, this is wonderful. Thank you for bringing me here.”

  Rade took Dylan’s hand from across the table and squeezed it gently. “Let’s get out of here and go home.” The only thing on his mind was to devour that beautiful body of hers and show her what pleasures he could give her.

  Pulling up to the penthouse, Rade did everything he could to keep from touching her. As they exited the elevator, Rade gently grabbed her arm and spun her towards him without a second thought. Pushing Dylan up against the foyer wall, he took her lips. “I’ve been waiting to take you all night. You’re like a pool of water needing to be absorbed. Do you know how much I want you, Sweetness?” Dylan felt the same way. She didn’t know what it was about him that she couldn’t walk away from. No matter how many times she convinced herself that being with him was a bad idea, his touch talked her out of it. The wetness between her legs only confirmed it as it began overflowing. Her need to feel him was like a burning flame that only he could douse. With a soft moan, she begged him to take her. “Rade, please.” She kissed him with all her soul, feeling something within her that she never felt before. Her heart began beating faster, like it was going to burst if she let go of him. Their kiss began to deepen. Rade’s hands snaked up her body as he slowly began removing her clothing piece by piece. With a little instruction, he would own her. “I will own every inch of your beautiful body.” Without hesitation, Dylan lifted her arms as Rade pulled her blouse over her head. With uncontrollable desire, Rade pushed her body into the wall while hoisting her off the floor. Her legs wrapped around him for support as he slid his hands beneath her skirt, gently caressing her soft skin. Needing her bare, he twisted the lacy fabric of her panties between his fingers, ripping them from her body. With a thud, Dylan’s shoes fell to the floor.

  Consumed by her softness, Rade gently glided his hand up her inner thigh until he reached her slick juices. Rubbing his middle finger between her folds, he eased his finger inside her sweet sex. With a gentle thrust, he added a second finger, in search of her sweet spot. Spreading her warm nectar across her clit with his thumb, he moved his finger in and out of her cunt.

  “God, you’re so wet. Do I make you like that, Sweetness? Tell me how wet I make you.”

  Hearing only her deep breaths, Rade stopped his movements. “Tell me, Sweetness, or I’ll stop.”

  Longing for his touch, her voice came to life. “Yes, you make me so wet for you.”

  With a satisfied grin he continued. “Good girl.”

  Rade never had to use more self-control than he had with her. He pulled away as he heard her request. “Rade, please, I need you inside me.” Raising her higher against the wall, Rade unfastened the front clasp of her bra and lowered it down her shoulders while gently kissing her pulsating throat. Taking one breast in his hand, he began squeezing and kneading savagely, like he would starve if he didn’t get enough. Dylan started feeling the pleasure his assault had on her. Her body began to tense, awaiting the final surge to her explosion. Her prayer was answered as Rade passed his thumb over her sensitive clit once more and her body took hold, releasing her milky liquid on his moistened fingers. Removing his hand from her drenched pussy, he took them into his mouth, sucking and licking them clean. “I will never get enough of you, Sweetness.”

  Carefully Rade lowered Dylan to the floor, only to lift her into his arms. Finding it hard to hold back his own release, he carried her to his bedroom and delicately placed her on his bed. Wanting to see all of her soft curves, he took her by the ankles and flipped her over so he could pull down the zipper of her skirt. With one quick tug, he pulled down her skirt and threw it on the floor. “Roll onto your back, Sweetness, I need to see your face.” He needed to see the hunger in her eyes, to see all she wanted was him. After tonight, he would make sure she forgot about that asshole fiancé of hers once and for all.

  Keeping her eyes on his, Dylan rolled over on her back. She saw something dark within them. Something about the way he looked at her was different. They looked possessive, commanding, almost frightening her. Lowering his mouth to hers, he kissed her with so much passion that the unsettling thoughts disappear.

  When he pulled his lips from hers, she whimpered with hollowness. “Put your hands above your head, Sweetness. Don’t move them.” Dylan did as Rade requested. Without taking his eyes off her, he reached over and opened the bedside drawer, pulling out a condom. Ripping it open between his teeth, he removed the latex sheath and rolled it onto his already engorged cock. Taking Dylan’s wrists in one hand and gripping his shaft with the other, he gently pushed the head slowly inside her wet opening. Her cunt was so slick for him, it took everything he had not to plunge his throbbing cock straight into her wanting vagina.

  Entranced by her eyes, he said with a breathy grunt, “Do you know how good you feel right now? I am going to consume every inch of you, Sweetness. There will be nothing between us when I do. Are you on birth control?”

  Dylan nodded her head. “No.”

  “Well, we’re going to have to take care of that. Tomorrow I am going to make an appointment with a gynecologist and you will be getting on the pill. We wouldn’t want any unforeseen problems happening.”

  Before Dylan could object, Rade pushed deeper inside her, causing her eyes to snap shut. She felt full with him inside her. Like she was being stretched beyond her limit. The pleasure slowly took over the pain, bringing her closer to the edge.

  The moans of closeness got louder as Dylan’s walls began tightening around his impressive cock. Her breath quickened as her back arched with anticipation of her release. Rade knew she was close. Controlling her release, he slowed his hips, bringing her down from her climax. He wanted to teach her self-control.

  “Rade, please,” she said, begging him to finish.

  “Please what, Sweetness?” He countered.

  “I need more.”

  “What do you need, Dylan? I want to hear you say it.”

  “I need you, Rade, please.”

  “That’s not good enough. Tell me what you want.”

  Rade was playing with Dylan. He needed to show her who was in control. He wanted her to tell him exactly what she wanted.

  With a moan of frustration, Dylan opened her eyes. Trying to escape Rade’s hold, she began moving forcefully underneath him trying to get him deeper inside her.

  “All you have to do is tell me what you want, Dylan,” he whispered as he tightened the grip on her wrists.

  “I want you deeper inside me. Please, Rade, fuck me harder,” Dylan cried out. She’d never voiced what she wanted during sex.

  “Good girl.” Rade plunged deeper inside Dylan. Her walls tightened around him as he felt her explode. The small pulsations of her vagina hugged his cock as the last of her orgasm ended. Thrusting harder to unleash his own release, he focused on her erect nipples as they began swaying to the movement of his hips. Lowering his head, he took her nipple, sucking it hard enough that he could feel the strength of another orgasm ready to consume her. Her screams echoed on the walls, her body tensed, causing him to release his own blissfulness.

  Separating himself from her, Rade walked to the bathroom to toss his used condom in the garbage and get a washcloth for Dylan. When he returned, he saw that she had fallen asleep. Removing the sheet from her body, he sat beside her and gently kissed her on her swollen lips. Her beauty was the most incredible thing he had ever seen. Every curve, every crease, every element, perfectly placed.

  When she opened her eyes from his kiss, he grazed her cheek with his thumb. “You’re so beautiful, Dylan. I will never get enough of you.” Dylan just smiled and closed her eyes. Rade gently wiped all remnants of their lovemaking from her. Tossing the washcloth on the bathroom floor, he crawled back into bed and pulled her near, falling into a tranquil sleep.

  *****

  Dylan woke up refreshed. She also woke up alone. Looking at the clock on the bedside table, she could see that it was still early. Ge
tting out of bed, she quickly put on one of Rade’s shirts. Buttoning the front, she went to the bathroom to take a look at herself. She could see in the mirror that she had a red mark on her right breast. Looking closer, she smiled at herself and knew exactly where it came from. Her wardrobe for work would be limited.

  Stepping into the kitchen, she saw coffee was already made. She also saw that Rade had left her a note. It was leaning against a long-stemmed red rose. As Dylan held the note, she could smell Rade’s scent on it. Slowly unfolding the note, she was riveted by his beautiful handwriting.

  Dearest Dylan,

  Sorry to have left you alone this morning, but an early meeting took me away. I have made an appointment for you with Dr. Julia Foster. She comes highly recommended. She will be at the condo at 5:30 to meet with you. I have also requested that Richard take you to work this morning. He will be waiting for you promptly at 7:45 a.m. to take you.

  I’ve reconsidered your argument for the new car and purchased a comparable substitute, minus the expense. I’m sure you’ll be happy with what I have chosen for you. It will arrive by the end of the week. Have a wonderful day, Sweetness.

  R

  Dylan picked up the rose and placed it in a glass from the cupboard. Even though she still didn’t like him buying her things, at least he was showing he could compromise. Looking back at their evening, she started feeling a tingle between her legs. Dylan knew that there was no stopping the feelings she was having for him. She only wished he would have been here to share her morning. She loved being with him in the morning.

  CHAPTER THIRTEEN

  On her way to work Dylan thought about giving her dad a call. She missed him. As she pulled out her sleek new phone, she smiled. Rade’s picture had popped up on the screen. Smiling at herself, she was thankful she hadn’t replaced it with a cute puppy face like she intended. Finding her dad’s number under her favorites, she pressed the call symbol and waited for her dad to answer.