CHAPTER 1

 

 

Madison Turner, known by her friends as Maddy, sat down at the bar in the upscale hotel. The client function she had planned for her friend’s company was in full swing in a reception room a few doors down. After running around all day making sure everything was in order she felt she deserved a drink and some quiet for a job well done. She had slipped out when the awards were finished and made her way to the bar. The room smelt of lemon polish and expensive perfumes. The décor was as ostentatious as the clientele. Diamonds subtly sparkled, and conversations were hushed. She ordered a glass of wine and couldn’t help but think she was a long way from home. Even though Brooklyn was less than an hour away, Manhattan felt like a different galaxy. The woman looked more sophisticated, the men more handsome and you could almost smell the vast amounts of money being traded in the street.

“Do you mind?”

Maddy looked up to see one of the most handsome men she had ever seen asking her if the seat next to hers was taken. He was tall, if Maddy had to judge she’d only reach his shoulders if she stood next to him barefoot. His hair was as black as coal. His eyes were grey as steel. His bone structure was strong enough to compliment him without making his face appear harsh. She felt a curl of desire low in her belly. She briefly glanced down the bar and noticed it was the only open seat, glancing back to him she smiled. “Sure.”

He sat down and his aftershave drifted over her. It was without a doubt some designer brand that cost more than the commission she had made from tonight’s function. After ordering a straight scotch from the barman, he looked her way again.

“Waiting for someone?” Jackson Landon asked the small brunette beside him. Surely she was waiting for her husband or boyfriend. If she were his she wouldn’t be sitting alone in a bar on a Friday night. Her gaze met his and he felt an answering stirring in his groin. Her eyes were the strangest shade of green he had ever seen. They were a bold jade speckled with chocolate brown and butter yellow. Unable to take his eyes off hers, he took in the rest of her through his peripheral vision. Her nose was slightly upturned in a stubborn way. A generous mouth was accentuated with a beauty spot an inch left of the corner of her mouth. Her skin was smooth and flawless.

“No, actually I’m escaping.” Maddy smiled over the rim of the glass watching him.

“Prison or a male admirer?” Jackson teased realizing he’d like to get to know her better. Between the sheets.

Laughing, she held out her hand as she turned to him. “I’m...”

Jackson held up his hand, knowing as soon as she realized who he was this exchange would go one of both ways. She’d either be fawning over him the rest of the night, or she’d smile and walk away. He’d gotten used to both. Some found the thought of wealth and power appealing. Other had enough of their own not to bother. He found neither option more appealing than sparring with a stranger. “No introductions.” When Maddy’s brow lifted in question it was his turn to smile. He leaned close and whispered in her ear. “What could be more fun that having a conversation with a perfect stranger and not knowing where it might lead?”

Maddy felt his warm breath against her ear and the thrill of the mysterious race through her. Maybe tonight wasn’t going to be too bad after all. Eyeing him she gave a condition of her own. “All right, but then it can’t stop with no introductions. No personal details, no numbers, no questions.”

Jackson laughed, apparently she gave as good as she got. He held out his hand. “It’s a deal.”

Knowing she wouldn’t be needed at the function anymore, she ordered another glass of wine. She played with the stem of her glass running her forefinger and thumb up and down it’s cold length. Jackson felt his breath hitch as he imagined her touching him that way.

“I love Manhattan in summer,” Maddy said almost to herself.

Jackson realized the rules had made conversation difficult and ran with her idea. “I love it in all seasons. In summer you can feel the heat, spend weekends in the Hamptons or Martha’s then comes autumn and you can see the trees slowly brown and wither succumbing to winter.”

“I know, and the beauty of it catches me every year.” Their gazes met and the initial attraction they both had felt simmered into something reminiscent of banked fire waiting to be rekindled. “I must admit I love winter as well. The cold seems refreshingly clean and you don’t have to have an excuse to bundle up and watch old movies all day.”

Jackson had never enjoyed old movies but he had to admit to himself at least, the thought of spending an entire day in bed with this mystery woman seemed appealing enough for him to wish it was winter. “I could imagine winter with you.” He kept her gaze before continuing. “And when spring comes everything comes back to life. It’s like everything is rested and refreshed after winter, people wanting new challenges, children riding new bikes in the park and the flowers waiting to burst into color.”

They spent the next few hours talking about everything and anything except for who they really were. Madison found his outlook on life refreshing, he was fair and honest, both qualities she had always admired. Jackson found himself wanting to hear her opinions on everything from politics to the fate of third world countries. He could tell she was kind and outspoken. Being used to people counting their words around him it was a welcome change. Sometime during the third drink they had moved closer as the noise around them became louder. People meeting for late night drinks, alcohol-induced voices talking louder and the music being turned up as some of the patrons started to dance. When there was a lull in conversation their eyes met, both realizing exactly where their thoughts had gone. To a private place where they envisioned where the night could lead. The possibility of spending the night with a stranger. Losing yourself in one. No questions, no explanations. The idea appealed to both of them. Jackson put his hand on her knee as he told her a funny story. Maddy had never enjoyed being touched by people she didn’t know but strangely she enjoyed the feeling of his warm hand. Jackson tugged at the restraining tie around his neck, and Maddy reached for the tie without thinking and untied it completely, placing it on the bar. The intimacies became more brazen, the conversation more hushed, the touching more frequent.

Jackson had never met a woman he had wanted to take to bed more than the brunette sitting next to him watching him with her strange green eyes. If he was a man prone to myths and fables he would’ve believed her to be witch that had cast a spell on him. As if in tune with his thoughts, Creedance Clearwater started crooning words to that effect through the speakers.

Maddy felt his eyes on her, her breath quickened at the thought of him touching her more intimately. She had always lived by the rules, taking no chances, no exceptions. For one night she wished she could be a different person.

Jackson stood placing enough bills on the bar to cover both their tabs. “I’m going up to room 447.” He met her gaze steadily with his own, as he circled his finger on her knee. “I’d love it if you’d join me.”

Maddy started shaking her head, eyes wide at his suggestion. “That’s not happening. I don’t even know your name.”

“I’d understand if you don’t, but I can promise you it will be a night with a stranger you’ll remember.”

Her nipples hardened against her underwear at the promise his eyes held. Jackson leaned close and kissed the beauty spot adjacent to her mouth. She felt his warm breath on her lips and had to stop herself from begging for more. As he walked away, Maddy already felt the sense of regret settle on her shoulder. She went to the reception room where the party was winding down and most of the guests had already left or were chatting in small groups. It was the biggest event she had hosted to date and felt she deserved to celebrate. As she stepped back into the luxuriously carpeted hallway she found herself moving towards the elevators. She would be celebrating her success with a complete stranger. Thinking of him touching her, moving over her, heat was building between her legs.

Jackson walked into his room, still surprised by his blatant invitation to the brunette at the bar. He didn’t think she would come. They hadn’t even exchanged names and she looked too sweet and innocent to exchange more intimate gestures without that basic knowledge. He walked to the windows overlooking the skyline of Manhattan and hoped she would. He had balked and complained all week for the renovators to finish painting his penthouse apartment on Fifth Avenue, as he hated hotels. For a moment he believed tonight would be different. Tonight he would enjoy staying in a luxurious hotel with a complete stranger who sent his pulse racing with a single smile. Accepting the rejection he took off his jacket and started towards the bedroom when there was a soft knock on the door. It couldn’t be. He slowly walked to door begging all the powers that be that she would be on the other side of the door. As he opened the door his hope crashed in his shoes with the weight of lead.

“Room Service?” asked the chirpy waiter with his red uniform.

“I didn’t order anything,” Jackson all but barked before he slammed the door shut. It was stupid she wasn’t coming, he knew that and yet he couldn’t help but feel disappointed.

There was another knock at the door, and his temper rose even more. He opened the door with thunder simmering in his steel gray eyes about to tell the waiter what he could do with that order.

Maddy saw the danger, knew she should turn and run, instead she stepped forward. “I’ve changed my mind.”

The words had barely left her mouth before Jackson pulled her in and slammed the door behind them. His mouth crushed against hers, tasting her essence and the lingering taste of wine. One taste of her was enough to drive him wild, he knew he should slow it down, but he had been burning for her all night. He expected reticence, but was surprised with passion.

Maddy’s knees weakened on his rough assault on her mouth. There was nothing gentle about it, yet it sent desire racing through her veins. She wanted more. She wanted him. She reached for the buttons on his shirt, swiftly undid them and settled her hands against his strong muscled chest. A soft moan escaped her but was swallowed with a deeper kiss. His tongue swept into her mouth, teasing and taunting. His teeth nipped before suckling her lips, soothing and tender, before he dragged her closer. His hands settled on her behind, kneading as he pulled her closer.

Passion had never been like this for her. Never before had desire been all consuming. She pressed her hips against the hard length bulging through his pants. Feeling brazen she slid her hands around his torso and scraped her nails along his back.

Jackson uttered a curse. She was driving him mad, and they hadn’t even shed their clothes yet. He wanted her, but he also wanted her naked. In a swift move he picked her up and carried her to the bedroom. Their eyes focused on each other, no words were said.

As he set her down gently next to the bed, the hunger overtook them. Clothes were unzipped, buckles undone, shoes tossed aside, until they were skin to skin. Maddy felt a blush creeping over her skin, knowing she had never been this bold with any man before. Yet the anonymity of it made her bolder, without a word she crushed her mouth against his before reaching for his manhood.

Jackson groaned, he angled her head with his left hand for better access and let his right hand explore. Slowly trailing down her chest, settling on a hardened nipple. Her breasts weren’t large, they were small like her. Two perfect mounds with dusky circles enticing him to kiss her there. He bent down and feasted. She tasted as sweet there as she did everywhere. He nipped and teased and sucked.

Maddy had never known such sweet torment. The pleasure and pain were inseparable but both complementing the other. She could feel the moistness between her legs warm with every touch of his wet kiss against her breast. When he moved to give the other breast the same attention she bucked.

Jackson drew away from the enticement of her breast just long enough to focus on her jade green eyes. He saw there what he felt. A need for more. Without asking, without having to, he slipped his fingers between her legs. A soft moan escaped her as he teased her swollen folds with his fingers, wanting more. With an expert touched he slipped inside her, stroking, flicking all the while still nipping at her breast.

The sensations were driving her wild and Maddy wanted more. She wanted less. At this moment she wasn’t sure exactly what she wanted but knew she needed something. Without a thought she lowered in front of him, missing his touch already as his fingers slipped from her. She could see the drop of dew already forming on the tip of his erection. Without thinking twice she licked it off. She grabbed his sheath in one hand as her other hand started stroking his balls. Watching him she took him in her mouth.

Jackson had known desire, he had known passion but before tonight he wasn’t sure he had even known madness. The soft ministrations of her tongue against his sensitive sheath were driving him wild. Her fingers trailed and teased along the seam of his balls making his breath come in short pants. Not being able to take anymore he swiftly pulled her up and plundered her mouth. He could taste his own arousal, only turning him on more. He pulled her onto the bed, not letting her go for a second. If he did, he wasn’t sure he’d be able to survive it. At that moment he needed her more than air. She lay on top of him kissing him with hunger that mirrored his own. He granted his hands the privilege of trailing her naked back. Knowing he couldn’t wait any longer, he reached into the bedside drawer for protection. After he slid it on he looked at her for the first time since she stepped into his room with a question in his eyes. The choice was hers. It would kill him if she denied, but he would give her the choice nonetheless.

Maddy didn’t expect him to wait for approval. She smiled at him from beneath lowered eyelashes sultrily as she mounted him. Taking a deep breath she slid down on his sheath until it reached its hilt.

Jackson drew a deep breath and forced himself to think of the inflation rate and taxes, he wouldn’t last long otherwise. But she was straddling him with her perfect thighs, her perky breasts boasted aroused nipples and a thin layer of sweat glistened on her skin. Her dark hair was hanging around her shoulders like an ebony waterfall and those intense green eyes focused on his. He gripped her hips, settling deep inside her and smiled mischievously. Maddy answered his smile with a laugh of her own throwing her head back and speaking for the first time since his mouth had settled on hers. “I just suggest you hang on, it’s going to be a hell of a ride.”

Keeping true to her promise, Maddy started to move. She set a grinding slow pace at first, acclimatizing to his size, finding a rhythm that stimulated her as well. Jackson reached between them for the hard nub settled between her folds and gently started flicking a finger over it.

Feeling the first wave of tension and pleasure rush through her, Maddy rode him faster.

Jackson made sure to meet her rhythm with his finger on her core. He could feel the overwhelming spasm start to cease his body as he started to reach his own crest. Maddy threw back her head, and increased the tempo again.

When she plunged down, he bucked. Their eyes met as the cycle continued, until they both reached the edge of madness diving over in a frenzy of moans, spasms and quivers.

When the shivers had subsided and their breathing had returned to normal it was Jackson who spoke first. “I know I promised you a night to remember,” he languorously stroked her hair as she lay in the crook of his arm. “But I had no idea it would be that good.”

Maddy giggled shyly. “I must admit, it was wonderful.”

She slowly pulled away and started to get up when Jackson followed her. “Where do you think you’re going?”

“Home.”

Her eyes were still glazed with passion and Jackson felt himself harden again. “We said a night, not an hour,” he pulled her back onto the bed. As she fell on her back, Jackson lowered himself between her thighs. “You’re not going anywhere, there is too much I still want taste,” he flicked his tongue against the now sensitive bud nestled below her moist folds. “Touch,” his fingers trailed down her thigh excruciatingly slow, “and explore.” On his last word he nipped her hip bone, sending an answering shiver arousal course through her blood. Without another word they made love again.

 

 

Jackson woke from the alarm on his mobile phone. Before reaching for the phone, he reached for her. He couldn’t seem to get enough of her. Somehow he needed to get her number. He had to see her again.

The bed was empty beside him. He sat up abruptly frowning at the spot where she slept. The sheets were cool and rumpled beside him. She must’ve left some time ago. Wishing for a last ray of hope he checked the floor. Her clothes were gone. There was a little note propped next to his phone in cursive writing.

 

A night I’ll always remember with a man I’ll never forget.