“Yes. I slept there last night, and Vanessa is staying with her tonight.”
She stepped toward the bed, glancing around the well-appointed interior. “Okay. I don’t mean to impose.”
He bridged the gap between them and hugged her from behind. She melted into his embrace, and when he sighed on her shoulders, she followed suit. “I couldn’t be more pleased you came,” he said, his voice growly.
A warm sensation surged through her, like they shared a stronger bond than either of them could admit. He’d needed her there, sure, but she needed this, this type of connection. Needed him, which scared the hell out of her. Needed him more than she allowed herself to understand.
She turned around and faced him. The intensity in his eyes sent a shiver through her. “I’m pleased, too.” She stretched to her full height, bringing his head down, and when he tried to kiss her she nipped his upper lip, sucking it then releasing it with a pop.
He grew hard against her, encouraging her to keep going. Excitement whispered beneath her flesh. She’d had him many ways—all ways. Yet never had she felt so naked in front of him, even if she hadn’t shared out loud how much she needed him.
I need you. Three little words that set her heart on fire. She helped him peel off his shirt, and he made quick work of unzipping and pulling down his pants and boxers. She removed her clothes and lingerie, until they pooled at her feet. The moment she felt him bare against her, heat radiated from her chest.
“You do things to me I never thought were possible,” he whispered, pulling her into his arms. She encircled her hands around his head, kissing him, and soon he led her through the room.
By the time they reached the bed, she tingled from top to bottom. He rolled on top of her, kissing her, sliding his hand down her ass to cup her cheeks. She mewled, caressing his shoulder blades down his muscly arms. He cupped her sex, his fingers scissoring her slick folds. Her blood pounded in her veins, hot and thick, lust making her dizzy.
When he motioned to move, she wrapped her legs around him, urging him to fuck her, but instead of thrusting into her pussy like she hoped, he put his arm around her and brought both of them to a sitting position.
Lost in the sexual haze, it took her a second or two to register she sat in his lap. They hadn’t tried that position before, and unlike the others, which they took turns being on top, now, they were equals. Partners. Lovers.
Specks of gold flickered in the depths of his irises, and she didn’t miss the raw emotion behind them. Could it be happening? Could he be falling for her? Or were her senses on such high alert that she was imagining things?
He rubbed the tip of his cock on her outer lips. Shivers ran down her spine, every part of her aching for him. She leaned into him, so close she felt his cock pulsating inside her. Now was his turn to tremble. Female empowerment swirled through her.
Before she had the chance to bank on her power of seduction, he thrust inside her, and that glorious sensation of coming home, of belonging, shot through her very soul.
She clenched her inner muscles, and he slid out a bit then returned with full force, repeating the sinful dynamic enough times to drive her crazy. His gaze pinned hers in place, powerful and enticing. Without taking his eyes off hers, he fucked her harder, slamming in all the way to the hilt, stretching her more than she could take.
Soon, a hot tide of pleasure raged through her, and she let go, calling his name and digging her nails into his shoulders, desperate to brand him as much as he’d done her. She creamed his cock, pouring all of herself on him, sweat glistening her limbs. After a couple more hard thrusts, he released his load inside her, his body trembling, but his gaze still not wavering.
They fell on the mattress in a delightful embrace. It took her several minutes to return to reality.
She propped herself on her elbows and stared at him. “What’s on your mind?”
“Just wondering. Do you have a long-haul plan for House of Alexa? Expansion, etc.?”
Was he invested in her plans for the future or just making small talk? “Interesting question. I’m actually selling it in a few months,” she said, realizing he was the second person she’d shared her plan to leave with.
He tilted his head to one side. “Come again?”
“Early retirement from virgin auctioning. I’ve stopped scheduling auctions past the next few months to make sure Jackie is up for the challenge.”
His eyes sparked with curiosity. “Then what?”
“Starting again, somewhere new. I’ve been worried about having money for so long, and I now have enough to stop worrying, especially after we do the virgin male auction. I’ll live in Spain and do all the things I didn’t when I was hustling.” She also would help battered women, but the idea of talking about women in peril, given what had happened with his sister, brought bile to her throat. Now was not the right time.
He rubbed his cheek. “Spain? Why?”
Because I can begin again—and maybe this time, for good. A ripple of excitement and fear ran over her skin, giving her goose bumps. This time, she had to make it her last fresh start. She couldn’t handle meeting another man like Brooks only to let him go—she doubted she ever would meet anyone like him again. Her heart lurched. “I visited Spain on vacation and fell in love with the country, the food. I could see myself living there.”
“Do you know someone there?”
She swallowed. “I’ll be all alone.” Why did her voice sound so sad? Weeks ago, she would’ve notched up her chin and proudly congratulated herself for the foolproof idea. Now, as she shuffled on
