I reach for the hem of my shirt and start to lift it, but he stops me.
“Oh no, the stripping is for me to do,” he says, pulling my shirt up and over my head. When it hits the concrete floor, his lips find mine. I quickly get to work on tearing off his shirt and unfastening his jeans. He kicks them to the side while he pushes mine down my legs.
“Oh,” I say, breaking the kiss. “I’m not supposed to get wet. It will remove my tan.” I look down at my tan body. Seeing it is still quite alarming to me.
“I like your ivory skin better anyway,” he says, pulling his shorts down and jumping in the pool.
I laugh, strip off my panties and jump in, headfirst. When I pop up out of the water, I can see an off-putting color swirling in the water around me.
“Told ya,” I say, looking down at the water.
He laughs and jumps for me, trying to pull me under the water. I quickly swim away.
“Do you swim laps?” I ask when our roughhousing cools down.
He’s floating on his back. “I used to every morning when I was training.”
“Let’s do it now. Let’s race.”
He smiles. “You’re on.”
We both back up to the far side of the pool.
“On your mark. Get set. Go!” I yell, and we both take off.
For the first half, we’re neck and neck. He swims fast, but I stay strong. It’s somewhere around the second half that I start to lose steam and fall behind.
He smacks the edge of the pool. “I win.” He turns around to see me doggy paddling my way over. He lets out a deep laugh as he reaches for me and pulls me into his arms. “Out of shape?”
I’m breathless. “I haven’t gone swimming for a long time. I did pretty good there at the start. I figured all the boxing would help me, but man, swimming kicks your ass!”
I hold on around his neck and wrap my legs around his waist. His hands land on my ass as he leans in and kisses me. I close my eyes, and the next thing I know, he has me pinned to the corner of the pool. His hands cup my ass, gently massaging as they move up my back and down to my thighs. Somehow, one hand ends up between us, rubbing against my clit.
I break the kiss. “I’m ready for bed,” I whisper against his lips.
He brings his mouth back to mine and holds me against him as he walks us up the stairs and out of the pool. He doesn’t worry about towels or the fact that we’re dripping water all over his house. He carries me all the way up to his room and drops me onto his bed.
12
Bennet
I should care more about keeping the house clean now that I’m in between maids, but when I’m around her, I lose my mind. I can’t think of anything but her and the way she makes me feel: like I’m eighteen again, falling in love for the first time, feeling everything for the first time. It’s intoxicating.
I carry her up to my room, dripping water the whole way. I don’t stop kissing her until I’m dropping her on my bed and crawling up her beautiful body. Now that all the tan has washed off, she has her radiant ivory glow back. Her cheeks are pink, her lips plump and red. She’s absolutely breathtaking with her dark hair wet and clinging to both our bodies. My hands massage her full tits, and my hips grind against hers. She’s already so wet for me, I slide my fingers between her folds with ease as her breath hitches in her throat and she grips me tighter. All it would take is one rock of my hips, and I’d be sliding deep inside her. But I’m not ready for that yet. I want to taste her.
I work myself down her body, sucking, licking, and kissing my away across her goose bump prickled skin. Her breathing picks up; a small moan tumbles from her lips. When my mouth closes in on her clit, she gasps, and her hand grips the top of my head. Her hips rock against my face, and I have to hold them down to keep her still. Holding her down only seems to tease her more. I let her go with one hand but use it to slide two fingers inside her sheath. She says my name in a moan of approval. As my mouth and hand work her over, her moans get louder with each thrust and lick. Finally, her muscles are squeezing against my fingers while her whole body stiffens. Her nails are digging into the mattress, and my name is all she can say. I wait until I feel her loosen up, then pull away.
“Wait, no,” she says, but already I’m sliding into her, and she can’t argue. My hands hold firm on her hips while I rock against her, giving us both everything we need.
We both finish out the workweek, and I have her in my bed every night. We go to work together every day. I’m starting to understand what Phillip was saying, about always having your best friend with you. It’s something I didn’t even know I wanted, but it’s turning out to be something I need. When Friday rolls around, we leave the office and come home to get ready for the gala—it’s a boring function my father throws every year to celebrate another year of his company being on top. I’ve always hated going, but I have a feeling this year will be much more fun with Maddie on my arm.
She goes into the guest room to shower and dress while I do the same in my room, the room we’ve been sharing. I shower, shave, and dress in my tux. I walk out of the room and knock on her door.
“Just a sec,” she calls out.
A few moments later, she’s opening the door, looking sexy as hell. Her body is enveloped in red silk that hangs on every curve of her luscious body. Her long hair is in loose curls over her shoulder, and her pouty lips are painted a dark red. Her eyes are what get me though. A dark cat-eye wing is swept across her lid, and her mile-long lashes are fanned out in a beautiful frame of black that makes them pop. I swear, they’re so blue they’re almost clear. They remind me of a glacier.
“You look…” I start, but I’m unable to finish.
“Thank you.” She smiles, and a slight blush creeps up her neck. “Would you zip me up?” She spins around, and her milky skin teases me. I want nothing more than to rip this dress off and stay here where I can be buried in her all night. I shake the thoughts away, knowing that if I don’t go, I’ll be getting a visit from my father.
I reach for the zipper on the dress, and as I pull it up, I let my fingers glide along her soft skin. It causes goosebumps to prickle her flesh. When she turns around, her cheeks are flushed, and her lips are parted.
I shoot her a grin. “Don’t give me that look, or you won’t leave the house looking like this.” I motion toward her.
She laughs. “How will I look?”
“Your lipstick will be smeared clear across your face, your hair will be a wreck, and your dress will probably be ripped because I’m too impatient to use zippers.”
She laughs and shakes her head. “Let’s go before all this gets wrecked.” She motions down her body.
I hold out my arm, and she takes it as I lead her down the stairs.
The new manager my assistant hired opens the door for us, and I lead her outside and into the waiting limo I reserved for tonight. The driver is standing by the door, and he opens it as we approach. She slides in first, and then I follow. I can’t keep my eyes off her ass until she sits down. The driver closes the door behind us, and her perfume floats in my direction. It clouds my head and has me stretching the crotch of my pants.
I move to the floor, getting down on my knees in front of her.
“What are you doing?” she asks.
I shake my head. “I can’t wait. I have to have you now. Scoot.”
She giggles but scoots her butt to the edge of the seat and works her dress up her legs. When all the frill of her dress is out of my way, I see that she’s completely bare underneath.
I arch an eyebrow. “Came prepared, did you?” I ask, freeing myself from my pants and pushing them down to my knees.
“I know how you are,” she says, just as I’m sliding my tongue between her folds. I don’t take my time enjoying her like I normally do; I’m a man possessed. I lap at her as I crook a finger inside her, warming her up for my cock. I work myself free with my other hand, already so hard I’m ready to tear through the seams of my pants.
I pull h
er hips toward mine as I thrust into her. Already, she’s tightening up around me. We’re both so wound up, I know it will only take minutes before we’re both calling each other’s names. Her nails dig into my back as she bites her lower lip. Soft moans and whimpers escape her mouth even though it’s clear she’s trying to be quiet. I rock against her a couple more times before we’re both falling together. I pull out quickly and grab a tissue out of the box on the next seat over, spilling everything I have inside me.
I laugh as I dry up the mess and toss the tissue into the trash. “It’s like they knew we were coming.”
She laughs and shakes her head before pulling a matching red lace thong from her clutch. She pulls the panties up her long, toned legs before getting her dress back into position. “I’m wearing silk, so can’t exactly stay bare,” she explains with a little wink.
I take my seat next to her and put myself back in place while tucking in my shirt to look presentable. We get all fixed up just as the limo is slowing down.
“Are you ready?” I ask.
She lets out a deep breath and nods. “As I’ll ever be.”
I pick up her hand and press a kiss to the top. “Don’t be nervous. Mom isn’t bad, and I doubt my dad will say anything to either of us.”
“Your parents are going to be here?” Her eyes grow wide with fear.
“Of course, it’s a gala for the company. I told you that. He’s the founder.”
“Oh, my God. How could you not tell me that?”
I place my hands on either side of her face. “Shh, it’s okay. There’s nothing to worry about. I’ll be with you the whole time.”
She nods but still looks as nervous as can be. Her blue eyes are dashing around like crazy, and her hands are visibly shaking. “Okay,” she breathes out.
The driver opens the door for us and I step out, holding out my hand to help her out as well. We walk across the red carpet, and a few pictures are snapped as we walk into the big brick building. She leans closer.
“No one from work will be here, right?” she whispers, squeezing my hand tighter.
“Nobody you work with, sweetheart. Like I said before, it’s mostly for the higher-ups, investors, and my father, of course. Relax. You have nothing to worry about,” I assure her.
Instead of making my presence known, I take her to the open bar, and we both order a drink. As we stand, enjoying our cocktails, I look around. There are many people I see from the board; they’re all standing in a circle, talking shop while drinking their liquor. Their wives are all sitting around a circular table, gossiping and trying to find out who has the most money, I’m sure. I keep scanning over the place and find my mother and father, sitting at a table at the head of the room. There are people dancing on the ballroom floor, waiters walking about to deliver champagne and hors d’oeuvres.
My father looks up, and his blue-gray eyes land on mine. I see him motion with his head, letting Mom know I’m here. When I see him push his chair back, I lean toward Maddie.
“Brace yourself. My parents have spotted us, and they’re coming over.”
She quickly throws back her drink and starts smoothing her dress down.
“Bennet,” my father says, walking up and holding out his hand to shake.
I nod my head and shake his hand. “Father.” I step closer and give my mom a hug. “Mom.”
“How have you been?” Dad asks. “Have you seen your sister? I was hoping she’d attend this year.”
“I’m doing well,” I reply, ignoring his question about Val because that’s always a sensitive subject. “Mom, Dad, this is Maddie, a close friend of mine. She works at the company and is quickly rising in her department.”
Dad looks over at her. “And what department would that be?”
“Date configuration and analysis, sir.”
His brows lift with surprise. My dad is one of those old-school assholes that still thinks women belong behind a desk, answering a phone—if they insist on working, but should be at home with children. “Well, isn’t that lovely.”
She smiles and nods once, not sure if that’s a compliment or just a basic statement.
I feel like I’m reaching for something to say. “She’s been waiting for a position to open up for a year now. Finally, she got her chance to shine and proved to be an incredible asset to the company. With one report, she was put where she belongs. She’s already doubled our new app sales and has nearly tripled our profit margins by helping us redesign the website.”
Dad seems to be bored listening to me talk her up.
“Please, excuse me,” he says, not responding to me. “Richard!” he hollers after someone walking by, and he quickly chases after him, leaving Mom standing with us.
“Why don’t you two sit with me at our table,” Mom says, motioning toward her table in the front of the room.
We follow her over, and I pull out both their chairs before taking a seat for myself.
“Have you talked to Valerie lately?” Mom asks, picking up her glass of wine.
I nod. “I talked to her on the phone last week. I need to call her again. I’ve had a job open up that I think she’d be perfect for.”
Mom rolls her green eyes and pushes her red hair away from her face. “You know your sister…”
I nod. “I do, but I think she’s coming around.”
I look up to find Maddie swirling the liquid around inside her glass, looking as bored as can be.
“So, tell me. Are you two dating?” Mom asks, looking back and forth between me and Maddie.
I laugh out of nervousness. “No, just thought that she needs to get her face and name known. She’s very good at what she does.”
“That’s nice,” Mom says. “Whatever happened to that last girl you were seeing?”
I wave her off. “That was nothing.”
“Well, what about Quinn? You know, she would make a wonderful wife. Why you fired her, I’ll never know. I put her in your home for a reason, you know.”
My eyes nearly bulge out of my skull. “Excuse me?”
“Well, I know how you are, Bennet. You want everything you can’t have. I figured if I put someone in your home and told you to keep your hands to yourself, you’d do exactly what I told you not to. She’s very beautiful, don’t you think?”
“I… I…” I can’t find the words I’m reaching for. I glance over at Maddie and can see her growing more uncomfortable by the minute. “No, I don’t think. And since when do you want me marrying a maid?”
She laughs. “She wasn’t a maid, silly boy. She’s a house manager and Sandra’s granddaughter. She wanted her to spend a year working before she left her with any of the family money. You know, so she would learn the value.”
“This is crazy, Mother.” I shake my head and pick up my drink, throwing it back. “Please, excuse us.” I push my chair back and stand, holding out my hand for Maddie. She stands and slides her hand around my elbow.
“Would you please dance with me?”
She smiles sweetly even though I’m sure she’s about as comfortable as a whore in church. “Of course.”
I walk her to the dance floor and pull her against me. “I’m so sorry. I had no idea she’d do any of this.”
“It’s fine, Bennet.”
“I knew my mother was hassling me to settle down, but I honestly never thought she’d plant someone in my house like that. I mean, who does that?”
She shrugs. “Maybe you should just tell her that we’re dating. You know, to get her off your back.”
I shake my head. “No, that would only start the ‘when will you get married and have children’ talk again. No, it’s better this way. Trust me.”
She lets the subject drop as we dance around the floor. I enjoy holding her close, but it annoys me that I can’t lean over and kiss her or touch her in any way that may signal that we’re more than what we’re pretending to be.
We dance through three different songs played by the orchestra before we break for a drink. While
we’re standing at the bar, a board member bumps into me.
“Oh, excuse me, Bennet,” Tom says.
“Don’t worry about it. How’s the wife and kids?” I ask, just to be polite.
He nods. “The wife is on vacation in the Keys. My son just graduated from Harvard, and my daughter just started at Yale. Everything is good.” He looks over at Maddie. “Who’s this beautiful young lady?”
“This is Madeline Strickland. She’s in the company’s data configuration department.”
“Oh, very nice. Are you dipping into the company ink?” he asks with a smirk.
I laugh nervously at his rather crude and outdated pun. “No, not at all. Madeline is here with me to get to know the company and everyone involved a little bit better. We’re just coworkers.”
He pats me on the shoulder. “I’m just teasing you. Now, I must get back over to my date for the evening.” He motions to a young blonde, that’s not his wife, sitting across the room.
“Enjoy your evening,” I tell him, turning back to Maddie. She’s holding her drink between two hands and staring off into space.
I lean closer. “Are you getting bored?”
Her eyes blink, and she forces a smile onto her face. “I’m fine. But I’m not feeling very well. Please, excuse me.” She places her glass on the bar and heads for the restroom.
I stand and watch her go, questioning if the events of the evening are getting to her or if she’s really not feeling well. I want to chase after her, take her home if need be, but again, I’m afraid someone will notice us acting differently and start to put things together. Instead, I hang back, drinking my cocktail and waiting for her to return.
13
Maddie
Walking to the bathroom, I feel the tears burning my eyes. But I refuse to let them fall. I don’t know what’s wrong with me. I’m getting exactly what I wanted, but along the way, something changed.
His Every Desire (Contemporary Romance Box Set) Page 10