Fuck waiting.
Just after they passed the 39th floor, with twenty still to go, Jared slammed his hand against the emergency stop. The elevator came to a halt.
Arianne jolted, her eyes widening in surprise, then immediately closing again. Jared pressed her against the back wall, kissing her neck, working his way down the front of her blouse.
“You’ve kept me waiting entirely too long, love.” He loosened the last button, grazing her taut stomach with his fingertips. The scent and feel of her skin drove him wild.
“I thought absence made the heart grow fonder?” she teased, arching her body so that it met his rock-hard cock.
“It definitely makes something grow fonder.” Jared resumed kissing her body, drinking in the taste of her, the feel of her softness against his rough stubble. It was only when he’d reached around behind her and cupped her firm, perfect ass with both hands that he thought about the security cameras.
With an apologetic grin, he stood up straight and met her gaze.
“Wait, why are we stopping?” she panted. “There’s no stopping during hot elevator sex.”
He nodded to the corner above her head, where the all-seeing black dome watched them from above. Its blinking red light seemed to be mocking him.
“I’m so sorry.” He pulled out the emergency stop to get the elevator moving again. “I didn’t even think about it. I just… I missed you.”
Arianne gave him a mischievous grin, wrapping her arms around his neck. Through long lashes, she looked up at him with a mix of happiness and raw, red-hot desire. She pressed her body to his again, blouse still open, her curves molding around his firm muscles as if they were made to do just that. “I missed you, too. More than I want to think about.”
“Let’s not, then. For the rest of the evening, the act of thinking is officially banished, violations punishable by spanking.” Jared took her hand, gave it a firm squeeze that he hoped translated into something along the lines of I’m not letting you go again, Arianne Holbrook.
The elevator came to a stop, opening up to his penthouse on the 59th floor. He led her out, pulling her into another delicious kiss just as the elevator doors whispered shut behind them.
After imagining this moment all week, Jared could scarcely believe what was happening. Arianne was here. In his penthouse. Kissing him.
Until suddenly, she wasn’t.
“Hey.” Jared ran his finger along the curve of her jaw, memorizing the planes of her face. “What happened to the ‘no stopping’ bit?”
Arianne's lips curved into a playful smirk. “That was elevator rules. Now that we’re here, you’ve got a condition to fulfill.”
“Ah, yes. Brawler.” Jared shook his head. “I’ve created a monster.”
“Take me to the game room. Or else…” She buttoned the lowest button on her blouse, threatening to cover up all that Jared had worked so hard to reveal.
“Wait! You don’t want to see the rest of the place first?” He pulled her close to him again and slid his hand inside her blouse, stroking the delicate curve of her waist. He wasn’t keen on letting her fasten up the rest of those buttons. “The bedroom, perhaps? There’s lots I could show you in there.”
“Your stalling tactics are so transparent, J-Black.” With a laugh that filled Jared with a familiar warmth, Arianne pulled away, looking around at his home for the first time since their arrival. “Wow, Jared. This place is gorgeous. And so different from your other house.”
“What can I say? I’ve got too much good taste to fill one house alone.”
“Yeah? I think I’ll be the judge of that.”
Despite her jokes, Arianne did want a tour, but assured him there’d be plenty of time for a more thorough investigation of the bedroom later. He took this as a sign she’d be spending the night, the idea of which made him infinitely happy.
After the brief tour, they ended up in the sleek, chrome-and-tile kitchen, where Jared fixed drinks while Arianne put together a spread of snacks she found by rummaging through the fridge and pantry. He watched her from the corner of his eye, smiling to himself as she hummed contentedly—something she probably didn’t even realize she was doing. He wondered if it was a habit, or just something she felt right now.
Like the movie credits thing, he wanted to know this about her.
“We make a rather good team,” Jared blurted out.
He didn’t even have time to be embarrassed about his presumptuous declaration when Arianne said, “Too bad Brawler’s not a team sport. Let’s go, J-Black. You’re only delaying the inevitable.”
“Ah, yes,” he said, grateful for the redirect. “My inevitable ass-kicking, followed by your inevitable ravaging.”
Arianne smiled. “Well then. What are we waiting for?”
Chapter Sixteen
“You’ve been practicing.” Arianne leveled Jared with an accusatory gaze. “Not with another half-naked woman, I hope.”
“You’re the only person I’d ever play half-naked Brawler with, I assure you.”
“So you’ve been playing with yourself, then? That’s not a good sign.”
“Out of necessity, yes.” Jared returned his attention back to the massive floor-to-ceiling screen, getting in a roundhouse kick that threw Warianne off balance but failed to knock her down.
She returned the move with a fake to the right, followed immediately by a pile drive that put him flat on his ass.
“Wow,” she said. “I guess all those hours playing with yourself couldn’t prepare you for the real beating.”
Jared smirked. “And isn’t that just about the perfect metaphor for life? Anyway, love, who says I’m not letting you win?”
“You? No way. You’re too competitive.”
“True,” Jared admitted. “But the odds are in my favor here. You said if you beat me, you get to have your way with me. And if I beat you, I get my way with you. That, love, is what chaps on this side of the pond call a win-win.”
“You got HOUSED!” The voice boomed from the surround-sound speakers, calling Jared’s attention back to the screen. In the few seconds he’d taken to tease Arianne, she’d clocked him with a one-two punch, finishing the job with a roundhouse kick to the head. The avatar formerly known as J-Black was sprawled on the street, bleeding profusely, a flock of yellow cartoon birds circling his head.
“You fight dirty, woman,” he said.
“Don’t you forget it.” Arianne nodded toward his boxers and held out her hand.
After he’d lost a piece of clothing with every knockout, the shorts were the very last shred of fabric standing between him and complete nudity. Arianne had so far only lost her jeans; her blouse and undergarments were sadly still in place.
“I told you I’ve created a monster.” Jared kicked off his shorts, letting them drop unceremoniously to the ground below his gaming platform. “You’ve gotten too good at this kicking my arse bit.”
“Now you know my hidden agenda. Guess I’ll have to do something to ensure you don’t reveal my secrets. Follow me, my brooding captive.” Arianne removed her gaming gear and stepped off the raised platform.
Nude and semi-erect again, Jared followed her to the back of the room, where a leather couch and a few spectator chairs were arranged in a neat half-circle.
The game room in his Tribeca penthouse was smaller than the one in the house at Annandale, and much less flashy, which suited Jared just fine. He rarely had guests here, and before tonight, the only people who’d ever actually played games in this room were Evan and a few of their top developers. He’d almost gotten rid of the couch and chairs last year—they’d gone mostly unused since he’d had them installed—but now he was grateful he’d kept them.
Arianne put her arms around his neck, staring at him through those wide, soulful eyes. Her proximity to his naked flesh was making him fully hard again, ready to pin her to the couch and take her. Her body, her heat, her nearness always had that effect on him.
But there were times like this,
looking deep into her eyes, that Jared wished he could know more than just the myriad ways to make her come. He wanted to know her thoughts. He wished she’d let her guard down—not slowly, meted out in small, well-earned bits, but suddenly, all at once, letting him in completely and irrevocably.
Not long ago, he’d only wanted to command her pleasure, to taste her, to feel her from the inside as he brought her to ecstasy with his touch. Now, only a few weeks after their first meeting, he so badly wanted to know her. The real her.
“Arianne, I need to say something. I’m—”
“Sit.” Her command came sharp and suddenly as she guided him toward one of the chairs. The firm, cool leather hit the back of his knees, and he dropped into the seat, unable to refuse her orders.
His thoughts evaporated as she took control.
“Shh.” Arianne leaned forward, caressing the tops of his thighs as she brought her lips to his ear. “It’s time for me to press my winner’s advantage.”
“Are you sure you’re the winning party here?”
“Well, let’s review.” She flashed her gorgeous smile, her eyes trailing along his body. “You’re naked, and I’ve still got most of my clothes. Not to mention my pride.”
“Yes, about that.” Jared slid his hands along her waist, wishing the fabric would melt away at his touch. “I’m not sure I like the odds here. You need to lose the clothes.”
“Easy there, J-Black.” Arianne gave his hands a playful smack, then stood up before him. “I kicked your ass fair and square. Now I’m claiming my prize, per our agreed-upon terms.”
“Refresh my memory,” he said, practically drooling as she stripped down to a lacy purple bra and bright pink panties that clung to her body in all the right places. “I’m hazy on the details. Does it involve me sliding into that very hot, very wet—”
“Hmm. For starters, we’re going to do something about that dirty mouth of yours.”
Jared swallowed hard, his pulse ratcheting up a notch as Arianne straddled him on the chair. He was so turned on, it was all he could do not to tear off her panties and claim her flesh in a single thrust.
“Don’t even think about it,” she said.
“Darling, you have no idea what I’m thinking about.”
She lowered herself against him, sliding over his cock. Even through the fabric of her panties, he could feel her heat, her body practically throbbing with desire. Her every movement drove him fucking mad.
“Oh, I have some ideas,” she said. “But I’m in charge here, is that clear?”
Jared groaned in defeat. He couldn’t believe he was letting her get away with this again.
And loving every searing hot minute of it.
Arianne leaned forward, unhooking her bra from behind. Her beautiful breasts spilled forth, their stiff rose-colored peaks teasing his bare chest.
“Open your mouth,” she said.
“What—”
Before he could complete his question, she stuffed the lacy purple bra into his mouth, effectively gagging him.
“I told you I was going to do something about that dirty mouth, Mr. Blackwell. Behave yourself, or things are going to get very—” She shifted slightly, raising up from his thighs to trail her fingernails along his shaft. “—uncomfortable for you.”
Jared groaned again, his cock straining for more of her exquisite touch. But as usual, he was powerless to resist her, to do anything but let her latest little game play out. He still couldn’t even believe she was here, in his penthouse. He was so happy to see her again, to feel her soft skin against his hands, to hear her teasing laughter. He’d give in to every last one of her demands, no questions.
Arianne rose from the chair, turning around and bending over to give him a glorious backdoor view. Slowly, teasingly, she slid the panties from her hips, gliding them down her long, luscious legs.
“Oops,” she teased. “Looks like I’ve lost my panties again. That’s getting to be quite a hazard around you.”
Jared’s cock sprung up at the sight of her glistening pussy, always wet and ready for him. He needed to be inside her, stroking that soft, hot wetness to their mutual bliss.
But again, he was powerless, losing all control. Giving it up, all for her.
She crawled back into his lap, straddling him, fitting herself perfectly against his body, but not yet taking him inside. She tore open a condom and rolled it onto him with agonizing pleasure, her touch a promise of more to come.
Their gazes locked as she leaned forward and pressed her lips to his jaw, tasting him, her soft moans vibrating against his skin. Still gagged, Jared trailed his fingers down her back, his other hand cupping her breast. Her nipple hardened against his palm, and he slid his fingers down over it, rolling it between his thumb and forefinger.
Arianne arched backward and moaned, her eyes closing at his touch. Between them he could feel her liquid heat, her wet flesh sliding against his cock, stroking him as he grew even harder.
“Jared,” she whispered, her lips parting around his name, her hair spilling down her back and tickling his hand, everything about her perfect and warm and completely, utterly his. “I can’t wait to feel you inside me.”
Fuck, yes.
Jared couldn’t take it anymore, couldn’t hold back. In one fluid motion, he tore the bra from his mouth and grabbed her ass with both hands, lifting her off the chair. In two steps he had her pinned against the wall, her legs wrapped around his hips. She moaned his name again, pressing her lips against his and nipping at his lower lip.
“I want you,” she said. “Now.”
He dove into her hard, fucking her deep as he sucked on her lips, her tongue, devouring her wet flesh. Liquid heat surrounded him, clenching his shaft and stroking him tighter with every thrust.
She felt so fucking good, so fucking right. God, he’d missed her.
“I’m sorry I made you wait,” she said softly, her voice as hot and submissive as her body. Jared couldn’t believe how quickly she’d transformed, how easily she was able to go from the one giving the orders to the one submitting to them. There was no awkwardness between them, no power struggles. It was as though they were made for each other, their bodies perfectly in sync with one another’s needs, their desires.
Jared wanted everything about her. To consume her. To make her his.
So he did.
“I own this pussy,” he growled, slamming into her just the way he knew she craved it. “Say it.”
“You own this pussy,” she moaned. “God, Jared. It’s yours.”
He slid out slowly, then thrust back in, pumping her deep. Both of them were close to the edge—they’d been apart too long to drag it out—but Jared did his best to make it last. Just when he thought he couldn’t hold out another moment, Arianne arched her back and dug her nails into his flesh, sending a burst of intense, pleasurable pain down his back. Her pussy clenched around him, her whole body trembling in his arms as she came.
“Jesus, Arianne!” He pinned her against the wall, barely able to hold her up as he exploded, all of the tension he’d felt this week evaporating in a final, animal thrust.
After a moment, their heartbeats slowed, and Jared set Arianne gently back on the ground. He was glad to see he wasn’t the only one who felt a bit wobbly.
“Are you alright, love?” He tucked a lock of hair behind her ear, his hand lingering on her neck.
“Better than alright.” She smiled, lighting up the whole room. “That was an enlightening adventure, Mr. Blackwell.”
“How’s that?”
“I learned that no matter what you say, you can’t stand being on the bottom for long.”
Jared gave her a wolfish grin. “It’s just not in my nature. Besides, I thought you liked it rough.”
“Don’t you turn this around on me. You’re a sore loser.” She walked back to the couch, arranging her beautifully naked self across it. She looked like a goddamn painting, glistening from the heat of their passion, her skin glowing and pink.
“Admit it,” she said.
“I’d really rather not.”
“Admit it,” she warned, “or I’m not letting you between these thighs ever again.”
“Ever?”
She closed her legs tight, then made a gesture as though she were locking a chastity belt and tossing away the key.
“No, please!” Jared dropped to his knees before her, kissing her hands and belly until the room reverberated with the sounds of her giggles. “I’m a sore loser,” he said. “I’m the worst loser on both sides of the pond. Scour the four corners of the globe, and you’ll never find a loser more sore than I.”
“Okay, okay, I forgive you,” she said, still laughing. “Just don’t let it happen again.”
“I wouldn’t dream of it.” Still on his knees before her, he asked, “Are you hungry?” They’d gone through the snacks hours earlier, and he’d worked up quite an appetite.
“Famished,” she said.
“How do you feel about Mexican?”
“Are you kidding? That’s like saying, ‘how do you feel about air?’”
“My God, woman. You’re becoming more flawless by the minute.” Jared rose, looking for his phone. “Here’s the plan. I’ll order us one of everything, we’ll refuel, then gear up for a rematch.”
Her eyes turned dark with desire. “You’re talking about Brawler, I presume.”
God, where did he find her? Smart. Witty. Gorgeous. Adventurous. An insatiable appetite for sex, food, art, and video games—Jared’s favorite passions.
“Brawler?” With an innocent grin, Jared said, “Now Ms. Holbrook, what else could I possibly mean?”
Arianne gave the air between them a one-two punch. The idea of sparring with him in the virtual world seemed to invigorate her almost as much as the sex did.
“You know I’m just going to kick your ass again, right?” she asked.
Jared wagged a finger at her. “That arrogance will be your downfall.”
“And this will be yours.” She stood and turned around, giving him another excruciatingly perfect view of her ass. The soft globes of flesh were still pink from where his hands had gripped her. “So call for my food, man-servant, and then prepare yourself for another virtual beating.”
Bared to the Billionaire: The Complete Series Page 21