“I’ll say it again, baby- it’s a real shame you don’t want to pursue this professionally.” Richard shook his head as he mumbled almost to himself, and I frowned deeply to sink into his swivel chair. Looming over me, he braced on the desk to trap me, but I was in no hurry to stand up. Instead, I just enjoyed how upset he was that I was going to waste my pianist’s skills. “It’s amazing that you came up with that on the spot. It’d take a lifetime for most other people, you know.”

“I appreciate it, Richard. You know why I can’t, though. So, what do you think? I kinda don’t like it, honestly…” My confession only made Richard huff, and he put a palm heavily on my head to stroke my hair. A blush filled my cheeks, but I didn’t deny him; it felt too good, pushing away the anxiety that someone could walk in and see us.

“No artist of any type likes what they do. Actors can’t watch themselves act, and writers always think their works are complete garbage. It’s very common, so don’t worry about it too much. Personally, I think it’s genius- just like I thought that recomposition at the Sound Bar was perfect. Is it okay if I send this to my classical team?”

“Uh- sure.” Smiling small at the pride that laced Richard’s voice, I ducked my head to stare at my lap as he left my crown to punch the keyboard in front of his monitor. His was a quick message, taking only a few seconds to type out, and the soft clacking echoed around with otherwise quiet space until he spoke up again.

“Do you want to go around to a few other sound rooms and check out the other artists later? Things really get rolling around 10, and I think you’d benefit from it since you don’t listen to a lot of music.” His insight made my heart thump hard in my chest, and I lifted my head to stare at him. For the first time, it hit me how different he was when it came to his business than when he was off the clock. Most of his carefree, immature attitude had been locked away, revealing the seriousness of a man that built the mountain he stood atop.

It was a glimpse into who he was really supposed to be; he just couldn’t bridge that into his personal life.

“I do. I really like this side of you, Richard.” My cheeks burned at my own confession, and I gasped softly when Richard dipped to capture my lips in a sweet, tender kiss. Cupping his cheek, I closed my eyes to savor the taste of him before he pulled back to straighten.

“Will you promise not to judge me if I tell you something?” Popping open, my eyes widened even as I nodded automatically, my mouth dried at the grave expression Richard wore. Slowly turning me to face him, he crouched down and gripped the arm rests without once dropping my gaze. “There was a time when I never stopped working- I barely slept, and that was only when I was on a plane going to work. I wasn’t a person outside of my companies, but then, all of a sudden, I had time. I… I didn’t know what to do with myself, so I did stupid stuff. I did stuff most college kids would know not to do. After a while, it just became who I was when I wasn’t working. That’s why I’m so involved now- I don’t want to revisit that time.”

Holding my breath, my heart broke for Richard when he averted his gaze in shame, but I couldn’t even open my mouth before he was speaking again.

“If I was more of a man, I would’ve realized that no one ever told you that you bleed the first time you have sex. I would’ve handled it different…” The urge to say anything punched me in the gut, but Richard placed a finger on my lips to cut me off. Dark things swirled in his eyes when they met mine, and the tears invading my vision didn’t wash them away. “No- Lilly… I’m sorry. The more time I spend with you, the more I know I need to change. I want to change for you.”

My chest tightened dangerously, my heart straining in its cage and lungs refusing to fill, and Richard splayed his fingers across my cheek to send sparks skittering under my skin. His thumb caught the first tear that fell from my eyelashes, and I blinked hard as my words lodged in my throat and threatened to choke me.

All I could do was shake my head slightly, but just as he had so many times before, Richard seemed to understand what I was trying to convey. His lips met mine in a soft, quick peck, and a thought rang in my skull so loud it created a harsh pounding behind my eyes.

Richard needed me, and I needed him.

He needed me to remind him that he could be a better man, and I needed him to show me what my life could be.

“Richard… I- I…” Licking my lips, I gulped down the lump in my throat harshly before attempting to speak again. “I’m happy with you… and I’m happy you want to be better…”

My voice shook, and my lips wobbled dangerously as my words failed me. Instead of trying again, I just leaned forward to crash my lips onto Richard’s, and he caught me easily. Holding his face in my palms, I kissed him fervently as my body temperature rose and harsh, shallow pants dried my nose and throat.

This time, we didn’t stop at a kiss, and I moaned softly when Richard’s fingers crept up my thigh over my pants. Slipping off the chair, I opened my mouth for his tongue, and a shiver rattled my spine when he cupped my sex. Twisting and shuffling to get me on my back on the floor, he groaned along our tangled tongues as a fierce ache swept through my body. Spread in wanton need under him, I tilted my hips in a silent plea before he ripped his lips from mine.

Yanking down my pants in one, jerking movement, Richard just as swiftly produced a condom followed by a soft thump. His wallet settled onto the carpet, open and exposed, but my gaze couldn’t linger when he tackled the fastenings of his pants. The frenzied two seconds was almost too long, and I lifted my arms to draw him down into a passionate kiss. His tongue burned my taste buds, his breath scorching my throat, and I moaned hoarsely when he peeled my panties from my folds. I didn’t even bother to kick off my pants to push my underwear past my knees before reaching between us to palm his member.

The hot, smooth flesh beneath the latex jumped into my touch, and I pumped a few times before poising Richard’s head against my entrance. My folds quivered in expectation, and blood rushed in my ears to drown out our harsh panting. Grabbing my hands, he tangled our fingers tightly before entering me in one easy thrust. Gasping as he stretched my walls, I arched sharply and swallowed his harsh groan. Seating himself deeply inside me, he licked his lips and mine to sneak his tongue into my mouth.

“I don’t know what this is, Lilly- but I’m not letting it go.” Pumping a steady pace, Richard mumbled around my tongue as it danced with his, and I whimpered in agreement. Squeezing his hands, I tilted my hips up to meet his, and my orgasm tore through me with the force of an earthquake. Clamping down on him, I bit down on his tongue as he thrust deep with the growl that reverberated through my chest to rattle my ribs.

Trailing from my mouth, Richard’s lips sucked and teeth nibbled down to my collarbone before he pulled back to thrust hard. The jolt sent a high-pitched moan flying from me, and I tossed my head to the side to pant harshly. In and out, caressing my cavern, his rod sent bolts of pleasure down my legs and up my spine. Quivering under the onslaught, I stared dazedly at the wall while my other senses narrowed down on him.

Richard sucked hard on the edge of my breast, but I didn’t care about the mark he surely left when he pushed himself up onto trembling arms. Exiting my channel, he untangled our fingers to grab my waist, and my sluggish, red-hazed mind forced my heavy muscles to move. Rolling sloppily onto my elbows and knees, I moaned a tortured sound when he plunged into my depths with a grunt.

Big, clammy hands grasped at my butt cheeks, spreading them, and my own gathered up strands of carpet. Thrusting hard and fast, Richard grumbled and grunted as his pace knocked all noise from my throat. I couldn’t breathe- couldn’t make a sound- and I clenched my teeth together as I climaxed. The rug burned my knees as they slid farther apart, and his nails dug into my sensitive flesh.

Our episode was over fast; I didn’t even realize that Richard was spent until he began to soften inside me. Still, he didn’t pull out, and I shivered violently before he draped himself against my back. Gathering up my hair with shaking fingers, he kissed the back of my neck and caressed the spot with his tongue. Goosebumps rose on my torso, and I whimpered pathetically over the fuzzy, warm feeling that spread from my toes up to my throat.

Finally pulling out, Richard fixed my panties with careful hands before slowly pulling up my pants. Every move he made was considerate, and I took his care at face value as I came down slowly back to Earth. Everywhere he touched, even over my clothes, he left tingles in his wake, and I groaned softly when he rolled me as gently as he could manage. Fastening my pants around my hips, he dragged his palms up my front heavily before adjusting my shirt to cover the swell of my breasts.

“You look so satisfied, baby.” Draping himself over me, Richard kissed me with a smirk tilting his lips, and I sucked in a big, lazy breath to sigh happily.

You satisfy me.” The stretch and pop of him pulling off the condom rang in my ears, and he tossed the soiled object in the trash near my feet. Even as he shook his head, his smirk widened, and I smiled back while he zipped and buttoned his pants.

“There are girls that get pissed when a guy can’t last with them, you know.” That little tidbit surprised me, and I struggled to sit up to look Richard in the eye. “I once got slapped for stopping at 45 minutes.”

My brows shot up, and I choked out a bark of laughter. Raking my hands through my hair, I looked at my trembling fingers and heaved another sigh. The high was slowly ebbing away, and I rubbed my fingertips together as I spewed out whatever thought came to mind first.

“I don’t think I’d want to have sex on the floor for 45 minutes. My knees hurt.” Reaching to circle my kneecaps with my palms, I huffed as other aches and pains came to my attention. My butt cheeks stung, and my elbows were burned; even my cheek ached from rubbing against the carpet for that short time. Glancing up, my smile turned into a grin to mimic Richard, and he wrapped his hands around my neck to caress my pulse points.

There was nothing more to say, and I heaved a satisfied sigh before Richard climbed to his feet. Taking the hand he offered, I hauled myself up with a grunt to sit back in his chair. If this was any indicator of the way this day would go, I would happily spend it here, with him and things he loved.