“You need to understand how Alchemy remains off the grid, yet the place to be, all at the same time,” Teagan interjects, and Thomas’s eyes light up with interest.
“You are correct. And if you ever want to indulge your darker interests, you’d be a perfect fit, my dear. I’m sure we could find someone to suit your needs perfectly.”
Chapter 17
Teagan
Suit my needs? I nearly snort. Yeah...he’s sitting right next to me.
However, those words don’t––and won’t––come out of my mouth. Instead, I simply comment, “Thank you for the offer, Thomas. I’ll have to think about it.”
At my words, Rex goes rigid, and I can practically feel his eyes boring into me and not in a good way. He’s beyond pissed, and I’m sure if he had his way, he’d stake his claim on me right here and now, then whoop my ass until it was impossible for me to sit for a very long time. But I’m not his. Our deal was one night, and that’s all we get. And yet, being this close to him is making me crave his touch. Feeling his body heat just adds to the desire forming in my belly. This talk of the darker side to our lifestyle isn’t keeping my mind off dominant Rex and what it would be like to have him work his shibari skills on me. The ropes that were hanging in the cabinet at Crave would be perfect, and if he tightened them just right, the indentions could be seen for hours...if not days.
Someone clearing their throat forces me out of my daydream. “This conversation is about to get less complicated,” Rex prefaces before diving into the details of the security for Alchemy, and how we work the passwords.
The ebb and flow of the meeting continues, and by the time Rex and Thomas finish, their posturing has dissipated.
Thomas finishes his last olive before sliding out of the booth. He holds out a hand for me, and I take it, letting him help me to my feet. His hand slides up my arm to my elbow for support. Steadying myself on my spiked heels, I straighten the skirt of my dress, making sure it's in place.
There's a shift in the room, and I redirect my focus back to the men around me. Rex's eyes are murderous as he glares at Thomas. A smart man would've backed away from that look, but not Thomas. This silver-haired fox doesn't bat an eye, and for the first time, I truly study Thomas as he keeps a hold of my elbow a little longer, not giving up any control.
Throughout the meeting, I've looked at him, but I hadn't fully processed his features like I'm doing now. His strong jawline, with a week or more’s worth of salt-and-pepper stubble is sexy. As are his pale eyes. Thomas is that professor we all pray for when going to college. The one we see in the movies. But what the movies never show is the dark desires hiding underneath the polished exterior. His desires cross lines that I'm not willing to cross. I may walk a thin line when it comes to my kinks, but I do have my hard limits. Thomas has none. Or maybe it's that he has less of them.
Whereas, when I look at Rex and all his gruffness, I know what lurks beneath. His desires call to my own. And though I fight our attraction, I know with Rex, I am whole.
My phone buzzes again, and that’s my cue to leave. “Gentlemen, I’m sorry, but I must get back to running this place. I don’t want the boss to get upset with me,” I quip, grinning as my eyes shift to meet Rex’s for the quickest of seconds.
“Teagan, it was very nice meeting you,” Thomas announces, taking my hand in his and bringing it to his lips, kissing it gently. “I hope to see you again soon.”
“It was nice meeting you, as well, Thomas. Enjoy the rest of your night.” I turn my attention to my brother. “Jay, I’ll talk to you later.”
Jay steps forward, wrapping his arms around me in a hug and kissing my check. “Sorry, sis. I wasn’t expecting the dominance games between these two. Nor did I expect to learn you and Rex have a thing. Apparently, we need to talk,” he whispers in my ear before backing away.
“I’ll see you tonight, Jay.” I hug him back.
We step far enough back that both Rex and Thomas are within our sphere again. When I’m at Rex’s side, his hand comes to rest on my lower back. Just this light touch sends a thrill through my belly as my body anticipates what he can demand out of me.
“Rex,” I acknowledge, glancing up at him before walking away.
Maybe we could share one more night.
As I pass the bar heading for the elevator, I pull out my phone and send Rex a text.
Me: I want one more night.
Sliding my phone back into my hidden pocket, I step to the elevator and push the button to go up. As the doors open, Mike grins out at me.
“How was your meeting, Teagan?” he asks.
I smirk in responds. “It was interesting, to say the least. Is everything running smoothly?” I question, stepping into the small box.
“This place runs like a well-oiled machine now that y’all got rid of the riff raff,” he responds, still smiling as the doors close behind me. “Which floor do you want to start on tonight?”
“I want to see how Dan and the gang are doing in the piano bar,” I tell him, and he pushes the button on the panel.
“How’d you get elevator duty?” I wonder.
“I wanted to see––but not be seen––tonight.” He relaxes against the wall.
“Is there someone you have your eye on, Mike?”
“Teagan, you should know I never kiss and tell.”
And before I can say anything else, my phone buzzes with an incoming text.
Rex: Meet me in the walk-in. Now!
“Change of plan, Mike. I need to head to the first floor,” I state just as the doors open on the third floor. He chuckles.
“Rex, I take it?” he clarifies, and I nod. “It’s about damn time.”
Mike pushes the new button, and the doors close.
I blink, jaw dropping. “Meaning?” I know what he means, but I didn’t realize everyone noticed us playing cat and mouse.
As the car starts its descent to the first floor, he continues. “Teagan, I know Rex, and I’ve seen him with women. Hell, I’ve even seen him at Crave with subs, and I’ve never seen him keep his distance when he wants someone. None of those guys do, and I’ve known them since we were in college.”
“Wait, what? You’ve known Rex and his buddies since college, but you don’t hang out with them all the time?” I question, not really making much sense, even to myself.
“I graduated with Calla’s and Wes’s brothers. I normally hang with them when they’re in town, and as a favor, I watch over Rex and his friends. You also have to remember after I graduated, I went on to the police academy and did all the fun, crazy stuff that got me shot.”
The elevator stops on the first floor, but Mike holds the doors closed, and I meet his eyes.
“Just do me one favor? Don’t play the long game like Wes did with Calla,” Mike requests before releasing the button on the panel and allowing the elevator doors to slide open.
Stepping out, I turn to face Mike. “I’m assuming you know what I am, and if that’s the case, you know I have issues with being controlled.”
“In a strong relationship, control is equally shared. Some days, you might have more control, and others, Rex could. But in the end, you have a partnership. That’s all I’m asking for,” Mike says as the doors close.
Have a partnership with Rex? Could he handle not having control 24/7? Can I give up a little control to make a go of this?
My phone rings with Rex’s ringtone.
So impatient.
I take it out of my pocket, hit talk icon, and place the phone next to my ear.
“Where are you?” he demands, his voice growly.
“I’ll be there in a damn minute. I had a discussion with Mike,” I tell him, heading for the walk-in.
“Oh. Is everything okay?”
“It is.”
“Then hurry. I expected you to beat me here.”
The line disconnects, and I pick up my pace.
Rex
As soon as the door to the walk-in opens, I grab Teagan, hauling h
er into me. A little moan escapes her throat, and it’s music to my ears.
“I’m warning you, Teag. I need you now. I can’t wait. Hell, I won’t wait,” I growl into her ear as my fingers reach for the hem of her dress.
“I’m not stopping you,” she taunts.
“If we do this, you’re mine. There is no going back. If you can’t––or won’t––give yourself to me, right here, right now, then we can’t do this, and I need to leave.” The words don’t exactly come out how I wanted them to, but my need is overriding my brain.
“Rex, as long as we have a partnership, and you give me what I need, as well, knowing there are days I need to be the one in control, then I’m willing to give this a shot.”
She’s willing to try a relationship. Damn, I’m a lucky bastard.
“Spitfire, you have my word. I’m willing to let you have control when you need it.”
“Then do your worst.” And at her words, I yank the hem of her dress up to her hips, almost ripping it in my eagerness, only to find her pantiless.
“Fuck me. My little vixen is going to be the death of me, aren’t you?” I groan, slipping two fingers into her wet pussy.
She’s so fucking wet, and I haven’t really even started.
“What’s got you so ready, vixen?” I ask as her hands fiddle with the button of my pants, my cock straining to be set free.
“I have been ever since Thomas invited me to his parties. But I wasn’t thinking about him. I was thinking about what you would do to me.” Teagan finally gets my pants undone and roughly pushes them down my hips, freeing my hard length.
My fingers sliding out of her pussy as my other hand slides down her hip, both grabbing her ass cheeks and hoisting her small frame up. Her legs wrap around my waist, her core centered over my dick.
“Hold on tight,” I tell her, my cock nudging her entrance. “This is going to be hard and fast. Later tonight, I promise I’ll show you sweet.”
And just like that, I slam into her tightness, backing her into the cold door and lifting her off my cock only to slam her back down again. She screams out, her hands digging into my hair, pulling at it until it hurts. Between the pain and her whimpers, I lose myself in her. Fucking her harder as I dig my fingers into her flesh, making sure to keep hold of her tight ass as her pussy restricts my movement.
“Rex,” she moans my name as I thrust into her, trying to drive my cock through her and into the door. “God, Rex, I’m going to cum.” Still I push on––until she explodes.
Her aftershocks milk me until my orgasm fills her, and I roar, “Teagan!” as my cock pulses in the aftermath.
Teagan’s body goes limp in my arms, and I sag into her. The only thing holding us up is her back and my head against the door.
“Teagan?” I whisper. “Do you think you can stand? I don’t want to crush you.”
Her head lifts, and she replies softly, “Yes.”
Lowering her to the ground, I pull her dress down her hips before pulling up my pants and buttoning them.
“I’ll stay in here so you can leave first.” I bend down, my hands cupping her chin as I make eye contact. “I want you to come home with me tonight,” I murmur right before my lips touch hers.
This kiss is a hard fight for control, and it knocks me on my ass.
I can’t let this girl go...ever.
“I’ll see you later,” she whispers before her lips press against mine. Her kiss, while gentle and sweet, gives me hope that this relationship will be what we both need.
Teagan steps back, winks, and exits the walk-in. I don’t follow. Instead, I lean against the wine racks, dropping my head back on the bottles and drink in the smell of the lust-filled room...until I want to go hunt her down just to do this all over again.
How am I ever going to leave my bed after this?
Epilogue
Adam
Why did we schedule this appointment on the same day as Ella’s party? Sometimes I wonder about my lovely wife. She’s always trying to do everything. Hell, Forest and Jax said they’d make all the arrangements and finish planning Ella’s party for us, but of course, Ness said no. She’s the only reason this party is as big as it is. Ella had asked for something small at Belladonna, with just a few friends and family. Nessa, however, wanted to go all out seeing as this is Ella’s first birthday with the family.
I’m starting to wonder if this party isn’t more for Nessa than it is for Ella. Maybe it is. Nessa missed out on seven years of spoiling Ella, and she’s determined to make up for it. Not that our niece expects us to. Hell, all she wants is to spend time with us––and possibly dress up. Though, I think that’s also more Nessa’s doing. But trying to celebrate Ella’s birthday and go to this doctor’s appointment seems a bit foolish.
“Ness?” I call out. “You about ready to go?”
She doesn’t answer.
“Ness!” I call out again and still don’t get a response. “Sweetheart, we’re going to be late for your appointment,” I say as I walk down the hall to our bedroom.
As I approach, I hear faint whimpers, and I pick up my pace. The bedroom door is cracked, but I can’t see her through the small opening. Pushing the door open, I call out to her again.
“Ness?”
The whimpers stop, or rather, change into what sounds like sniffles. Slowly, I step into our room, but I still can’t find her. Searching the room, my eyes glimpse a glow from underneath the bathroom door, and I move in that direction. Raising my hand, I knock gently on the door but don’t open it.
“Ness, sweetheart, can I come in?” I ask softly and hear another sniffle before she blows her nose.
“Yeah,” she answers, her voice wobbly.
Twisting the knob, I push the door open and find Ness on the floor next to the toilet.
“Sweetheart, what’s wrong?”
“I lost it,” she sobs, tears streaming down her sweet face.
The End…at least for now!
Playlist
Ain’t That a Kick in the Head by Dean Martin
Amen by Halestorm
It Takes Two by Rob Base
Foxy Lady by Jimi Hendrix
My Blue Heaven by Gene Austin
Fly Me To The Moon by Frank Sinatra
Principles of Lust by Enigma
S&M by Rihanna
Feel This Moment by Pitbull
House Party by Sam Hunt
My Selfish Heart by Meghan Trainor
Legs by ZZ Top
Acknowledgments
Lucas, love, what can I say? You’re my rock. I couldn’t do this without you.
Annessa, thanks for keeping me sane. Thanks for listening to me when I need to vent.
My editor needs a BIG thank you. Love ya, Steph!
Kristen, thanks for all the advice and drinks! And of course everything else that made this book come to life.
L. Woods PR, and specifically, Veronica, thanks for everything you do, day in and day out, to help me keep my shit together.
About the Author
Teresa Crumpton is a hybrid: she grew up in the Midwest and the American South. She writes dark supernatural thrillers and contemporary romance. She loves classic horror movies and Shakespeare. She never thought she'd turn her passion for writing into a career, but here she is!
When Teresa isn't writing, you can find her at book signings or traveling the world with the perfect man for her. She's living the dream and keeping a promise she made to her father before he passed.
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Also by Teresa Crumpton
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The Escape: A One of the Boys Novel Page 10